Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

What I would say to Mr Weng in relation to energy costs is that we understand that energy prices have been very difficult for many small businesses, which is why this government did provide energy bill relief in previous budgets. It is disappointing that those opposite, who pretend to be the champions of small business in this country, voted against it. If you care, Senator Hume, about the energy prices that small businesses are paying and about the cost to their business, please explain to the chamber and to Mr Weng why it is that you chose to vote against energy bill relief for small businesses in this country. Let's be very clear about it.

Let's remember, also, that we take our advice from the Energy Market Operator, who has confirmed time and time again that Australia's energy system should be focused on the cheapest form of energy, which is renewables backed up by gas. (Time expired)