Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Canavan for that question. I can advise the Senate that the evidence is in. The removal of Labor's failed carbon tax has led to reductions in the cost of electricity, reductions in the cost of water and reductions in the cost of sewerage. Of course, Labor said it could not be done. Like they said we could not stop the boats, they said the carbon tax removal would not lead to price reductions. This is what Bill Shorten said on 17 July, the day the Senate voted to get rid of the carbon tax:

Do Australians really believe they're going to see back all the money which Tony Abbott alleged the carbon price cost them?

The answer to that now is a resounding yes.

The other day I had the privilege of travelling with the Prime Minister to north-east Arnhem Land. I visited there a great organisation in Galiwinku on Elcho Island. I visited the Marthakal Badurru Workshop, and guess what. Even there there was evidence that the repeal of the carbon tax was bringing down the cost of electricity, bringing down the cost of water and bringing down the cost of sewerage. I am reading here from the sign that was put up at that particular workshop. Senator Dastyari has seen this picture because he went to my Facebook site to check it out. This is what it says:

On the 17 July 2014, the Federal Government announced the removal of the carbon tax, to be backdated to 1 July 2014. This change—

and this is a very important point—

reduces your power, water and sewerage prices.

And it goes on:

All customers billed from 1 August onwards will receive a bill that no longer includes carbon tax. If you were billed between 1 July and 31 July 2014, you would have received a bill that included carbon tax. If so, you will be refunded the carbon tax component in your next bill.

And right across Australia—