Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

The National Energy Guarantee that the Turnbull government is working to deliver will see real benefits for Australian businesses. It would see an estimated 23 per cent reduction in wholesale prices, which would see small, medium and large Australian businesses significantly benefit and therefore be better equipped to invest, to grow, to create more jobs and to deliver higher wages. For example, a local supermarket could save almost half a million dollars a year under the modelling undertaken demonstrating the benefits of the National Energy Guarantee. A small business such as a cafe could save several hundreds of thousands of dollars, while an energy-intensive manufacturer could save almost half a million dollars.

You need only look at the alternative, which is where companies such as BHP have highlighted that the result of the blackout in my home state of South Australia cost them an estimated $100 million. Indeed, they have ongoing costs because of higher electricity prices. The essential aspect for us is to make sure the NEG is delivered, because we know from the modelling it will increase reliability and affordability. (Time expired)