Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This Labor government has committed to a future where energy is cleaner, fairer and more affordable for every household and every business no matter where they live, and that has been our commitment. Australia is in the middle of one of the biggest transformations in our modern history. For more than a century, our energy system has relied heavily on a small number of large, central power stations, but now we're seeing an extraordinary shift toward a system powered by abundant sun, strong wind, smart technology and the power of everyday Australians who are embracing that particular change. It's change that is led by this Albanese Labor government, not the coalition.

We know that they have opposed our renewables. They've opposed renewables. They're still in a debate about whether we're living through climate change. We saw this whilst they were in government of nine years, where they had nine different energy policies, delaying any outcome to getting renewables in and making energy cheaper. We have assisted the nation with power bill relief, gas price caps and investing in cheaper renewables where the coalition have stood in opposition rather than support.

Record numbers of households in my electorate and all over Australia are installing solar panels and home batteries, and this means that people are generating their own electricity on their rooftops, storing it in their garages in their batteries and using it at night when energy would normally be more expensive. Families are gaining more independence, more control and more certainty over their energy use and bringing their energy bills down.

This transition is also about fairness. Fairness means making sure energy companies are transparent, fairness means ensuring no household is caught off guard by sudden price hikes and fairness means giving every customer access to simple, fee-free payment options. Fairness means strengthening protection for people doing it tough so they aren't left behind. A fair energy system is one where bills are understandable, pricing is predictable and households know the provider's best offer is actually what they're receiving. A fairer energy system is one where people feel empowered, not overwhelmed, and fairness also means ensuring that everyone from renters to pensioners and from families in apartments to households in regional towns can benefit from this shift to clean energy—not just those who own big rooftops or can afford upfront costs.

Record investments in renewable energy and storage show the momentum is real. The development pipeline of new projects is growing, communities are beginning to host the clean industries of the future and a new generation of workers is being trained to support the renewable economy. Beyond numbers and technology, this transformation is about people: families who want lower bills, young people who want a liveable climate, regional communities who want economic opportunity and businesses who want reliable power. We're advocating for better energy, we are advocating for a renewable economy and we are advocating for more power to the people.

I wish I could say the same about the opposition. The now leader of the opposition, who was once the energy minister, had anything but the best intentions for Australians. His record displays actions from secretly increasing electricity prices to constantly failing to deliver on his promises of cheaper energy and more electricity.

We're taking public action with the nation's best interests in mind. We have made and are making it easier for Australians to save on energy bills and to take advantage of clean, reliable and renewable power. Australians deserve clarity, transparency and fairness when it comes to energy bills. This year the new national energy rules will come into effect to strengthen the protections that we have put forward for households and businesses. Importantly, the new rules place stronger responsibility on retailers to support customers experiencing hardship.

Together we are giving Australians control over energy. Together we are paving the way for a renewable and sustainable future. I ask: what have the opposition done? They have done nothing but criticise and undermine, and their record shows that they have no ability to do anything. In fact, when they were in government, electricity costs increased by 40 per cent.

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