Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) | Hansard source

This federal budget delivered very little relief to the growing costs for many businesses throughout the Townsville community. Dad and Daves Tuckerbox is one such small, locally owned business, known for their popular burgers and sandwiches. In a cost-of-living crisis, the owner, Sorelle, has been conscious to keep their prices low, to support our local community. However, their bills—including utilities, ingredients and everything else—are soaring. But the one bill that is really hitting them the hardest is their electricity bill. They have been forced to run a takeaway shop with one less fridge and one less fryer, in an effort to reduce their electricity costs. Even after making these changes, their latest bill increased by 38 per cent. These large, unsustainable increases are crippling many local small businesses just like Sorelle's in Townsville. It is creating an uncertain future for many businesses, with many questioning whether they'll be able to trade tomorrow or have to close forever.

We can't keep letting our businesses suffer while Labor puts all their eggs in one renewables basket. We need reliable base-load power that will keep the fridges running and the lights on 24/7 and keep costs down. We must have a cheaper and consistent energy future for Australia, and only we on this side of the chamber will keep the lights on without driving small-business owners into the ground.

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