Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

Well, the senator is right. Supporting households in meeting cost-of-living challenges is this government's No. 1 priority. We do know that many families are doing it tough, and it's why, every time a family opens their electricity bill this year, it will be cheaper, as a consequence of this government's energy price relief policies. We're providing every single Australian household, and over 1.25 million eligible small businesses as well, with real relief to help with the cost of living.

There are some promising signs. Updated inflation figures show electricity prices fell 17.9 per cent in the year to August, but there is more to do. Our government is investing in lower power prices by investing in renewables and firming capacity like batteries, and Australians know that renewable energy means savings. It is why Australians have led the world in rooftop solar. There are now more than one in three Australian homes with panels.

That's why our government's energy plan supports Australians to directly take control of their energy use by installing household solar and batteries. It's not possible, if you rent or live in an apartment, to do this on your own, so we're also investing in community solar and batteries. Just last week, we unveiled a new joint community solar and storage project with the Queensland Miles government that will see up to 5,500 households in Caloundra and in Townsville set to save up to $800 a year on their electricity bills.

This is because we listen to the experts. We know that a mix of technologies will deliver reliable and clean power to Australians, and that is backed by CSIRO and backed by AEMO as the least-cost pathway. It's all part of the reliable renewables plan. It's the plan put together by experts for affordable, reliable energy.