Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The start of the 2026 financial year, on 1 July 2025, heralded the continuation of the Albanese Labor government's determination to decarbonise the economy and make a sustainable transition to net zero, underpinned by a focus on renewable energy: wind, solar, small storage and large storage. It also heralded the continuation of the government's ambition to deliver cost-of-living relief to Australian households and businesses. Data tells us that inflation is continuing to trend downwards. We have evidence demonstrating the unemployment rate is at historical lows, and the proof is in the pudding with respect to interest rates, which are continuing to fall. The name of the game under this government is a stronger economy and cost-of-living relief for all Australians. Increases to minimum wages, new incentives for apprentice builders, cheaper medicines, and longer and fairer paid parental leave all form part of this cost-of-living regime as does energy bill relief.

Energy bill relief has been delivered to Australian households and businesses over three rounds. But, equally importantly, education is being delivered to Australians to ensure that they are equipped to check that they are on the cheapest energy plan available. Data recently produced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission suggested that 80 per cent of Australian households were paying too much for their energy. Education in relation to how and where to make the cheapest and most fit-for-purpose arrangements can be found on the government's energy.gov.au website, as well as the Australian Energy Regulator's Energy Made Easy website. Critical investments in renewable energy are also continuously being made, because the generation costs of solar and wind energy are next to nothing and because of the urgent need to decarbonise the economy and push forward with the sustainable transition to renewables.

We all need energy. That means we all need a fair energy marketplace, and the Albanese Labor government is doing the reform work to ensure energy retailers are being fair to the Australian people. In 2026, changes to benefit consumers will come into play, including banning unfair fees and card surcharges and ensuring that customers who are experiencing hardship are being offered the best and fairest deal by their chosen retailer. Further, and importantly, in 2026 the Australian Energy Market Commission will implement new rules that will prevent retailers from increasing prices more than once a year.

In addition, the Albanese Labor government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program is acting to help households, businesses and community facilities slash their energy bills for good, with a 30 per cent discount on the upfront cost of installing a typical battery. Households with existing rooftop solar are estimated to be in line to save up to $1,000 off their power bill every year, and those installing a new solar and battery system could save up to $2,300 a year. That is up to 90 per cent of a typical family electricity bill. Again, data told us that, although one in three Australian households has rooftop solar, only one in 40 have a battery. The government looked at that data and acted. Not only does a discount of 30 per cent off a typical home battery equate to a saving of around $4,000 once installed but also a household battery reduces reliance on the energy grid, which then helps to reduce prices for everyone.

And Australians are listening and acting—like Dr Corinne Ang, who lives in my electorate of Sturt and who I met with in June this year to talk about her and her family's ambition to take advantage of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. A trained dentist as well as cofounder and chief executive officer of Asian Australians for Climate Solutions, Corinne also talked to me about her plans to electrify her household appliances, reducing reliance on gas and helping our planet. This will be done through the Asian Australians for Climate Solutions program Electrifying Everything for Everyone. Corinne is also passionate about educating her community on the importance of renewable energy and how to reduce energy costs as the same time as retaining traditional methods of preparing culturally important cuisine. Corinne and her family are one of 30,000 Australian households that have installed solar batteries since 1 July 2025. That's 30,000 Australian households in just eight weeks. Australians are listening and they are acting.

That 30,000 figure includes 574 in my great electorate of Sturt. With this rate of investment, by 2030 the data could tell us that one million Australian households have taken advantage of the Albanese Labor government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program. This will mean, when Australians continue to listen and continue to act, cheaper energy bills not just for homes with batteries but for the entire energy grid.

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