Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that a year ago he said: 'Evidence based policy is the National Energy Guarantee. It means lower prices, more reliable energy and we meet our obligations to the environment. I mean, why wouldn't you want that, Bill Shorten?' Well, I still want that and the Prime Minister used to want that. So why is the Prime Minister now walking away from the National Energy Guarantee he backed last year?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government's energy policies are about bringing down electricity prices. The key component of what we announced today was the reliability guarantee, which forces big energy companies to contract reliable energy supply into the market, which keeps power prices down and keeps the lights on. That's what our policies are focused on. It's about taking the big companies to task on energy and electricity to make sure they do the right thing and to ensure that the big stick of legislation is there to ensure that those companies do the right thing.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those opposite jeer and sneer when it comes to the government taking a big stick to electricity companies. They don't share our view that electricity companies need to be taken to task. By the end of this year, they will have the opportunity to vote for our legislation.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, on direct relevance. My question was: the Prime Minister last year supported the National Energy Guarantee; what happened?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has the call.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What we know of the alternative to what we're doing to get electricity prices down is what the Labor Party will do, which is to have an emissions reduction target of 45 per cent. What did Ben Davis, secretary of Bill Shorten's branch of the AWU, say?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry; I withdraw, Mr Speaker.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just refer to the Leader of the Opposition by his correct title.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The secretary of the leader of the Labor Party's union, the AWU, Ben Davis, said:

The rush away from coal and gas-fired electricity stations is a little unseemly in its haste because we are potentially crucifying hundreds of thousands of manufacturing workers.

That's what Labor's policy is about. The Business Council says:

The emissions target of 26% is appropriate and achievable. 45%—

that's Labor's target—

is an economy wrecking target.

The National Farmers' Federation has expressed concern over the Australian Labor Party's proposed target of a 45 per cent emissions reduction, saying that it would hinder agricultural competitiveness and economic growth. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said:

Labor's newly announced proposal to double cuts to emissions to 45 per cent by 2030 with a long-term target of net zero emissions by 2050 was not backed by a credible plan that protects economic growth.

But we know who the leader of the Labor Party is listening to. He is listening to the Labor Environment Action Network, because they said this:

High prices are not a market failure. They are proof of the market working well.

That's what we know about the Labor Party.

If you elect the Labor Party at the next election, you will pay more for everything—your electricity, your taxes and your private health insurance—because they are their policies. Under the Liberal Party and the National Party, you'll pay less, your economy will be stronger, there'll be more jobs, and your wages will be better.