Tom French (Moore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak in strong support of the energy bill relief plan. This plan delivers relief today and drives reform for tomorrow. It tackles immediate cost-of-living pressures while laying the groundwork for a cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy future.

Over the past 18 months, global energy markets have faced unprecedented upheaval. Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent wholesale energy prices soaring, creating volatility and uncertainty around the world. Australian families and businesses have felt these impacts directly. Bills have risen, budgets are stretched, and small businesses are facing harder choices than ever before. This plan provides a targeted, practical response, delivering immediate energy bill relief while driving long-term reforms to secure affordable, reliable power for all Australians.

On 1 July 2025, every Australian household and around one million small businesses nationwide automatically received an additional $150 rebate. In my electorate of Moore, that means support for more than 58,000 households. Importantly, this relief is automatic—no forms, no applications, no delays. It goes straight onto the bills, where it is needed most. For small businesses, eligibility depended on whether they met the definition of an electricity small customer, meaning an annual electricity use of less than 50 megawatt hours. That includes businesses in embedded networks like shopping centres, provided they fell below that threshold. For families in Moore, this support means being able to keep the heater on in winter without worrying about the bill. For small businesses, it means keeping the doors open and staff employed without cutting corners elsewhere. This package is designed to help where it is needed most: households under the greatest cost-of-living pressures and small businesses most exposed to rising energy costs. While the rebate is temporary, it gives families and businesses breathing space now, while broader reforms and clean energy investments take effect.

Alongside immediate relief, we're also making the energy market fairer and more transparent. From 2026, new rules will stop the sneaky price hikes by preventing retailers from increasing prices more than once a year; ban unfair fees and ensure every customer has a fee-free payment option; and guarantee that hardship customers get the best deal available from their retailer. Australians deserve a fair go, and these reforms ensure no household or business pays more than it should.

We're also helping Australians take control of their power bills with the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. This program provides a 30 per cent discount, around $4,000, off the cost of a typical home battery, helping more households store their own energy and cut bills. For households with existing rooftop solar, that means saving up to $1,100 per year. For those installing new solar and battery systems, the saving can be as high as $2,300 annually, slashing bills by up to 90 per cent. In just the first eight weeks of the program, over 30,000 homes have already installed batteries to store their sunshine. By 2030, this support is expected to drive over one million battery installations nationwide. More batteries means cheaper bills, more reliable power and a faster transition to renewable energy.

In Western Australia, we know the importance of getting energy policy right. Our domestic gas reservation policy has protected us from some of the worst volatility that has been seen on the east coast. With targeted relief, fairer energy rules and investment in solar, wind, hydrogen and battery storage, we've been securing WA's energy future while driving new local jobs and industries. Under those opposite, household electricity prices rose by nearly 20 per cent. They talked about cutting bills but delivered hikes. They failed to plan for the clean energy future Australians are demanding. In contrast, this government is acting decisively, delivering relief today, driving reform tomorrow and building a real plan for cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy. For the people of Moore, this plan means lower energy bills now, fairer energy markets and a clear pathway to cheaper, cleaner power in the years ahead. It's about ensuring families and small businesses don't just get by today but thrive tomorrow. I commend the motion to the House.

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