Sally Sitou (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For small businesses, fluctuating energy prices can be a real challenge, driving up costs. That's why I'm excited about the second round of the Albanese Labor government's energy efficiency grants scheme for small and medium-sized businesses. These grants offer between $10,000 and $25,000 for upgrading to energy-efficient equipment. This could mean replacing old air conditioners with more efficient models or switching to heat pumps instead of gas boilers. These are simple measures that will cut down on energy bills and reduce emissions. It builds on the first round of these grants, which helped more than 670 businesses invest in energy-saving upgrades.

One of those recipients was Beifang Foods in Silverwater in my electorate. Beifang Foods has developed a thriving business processing, packing and distributing frozen meat products across Australia. Anyone here who likes eating hotpot or malatang would probably have had some sliced meats from Beifang Foods. They received a grant of $25,000 to help upgrade their refrigeration system, reducing power bills and helping to keep prices low for their consumers. I encourage all small and medium-sized businesses in Reid to apply for these energy efficiency grants.