Keith Wolahan (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Gas producers have warned that the Prime Minister's deal with the Greens will create more hurdles and reduce investments in new gas projects. With new projects facing the axe, which will increase energy costs, and AEMO my warning Victorians face gas shortages this winter, when will this out-of-touch Prime Minister admit this deal with the Greens will make a bad situation worse for Australian families and Australian businesses?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Menzies for his question about the safeguard mechanism, which is being debated in the Senate as we speak, and I expect there will be a majority of senators who vote for it. We have entered into good-faith discussions across this parliament. Those opposite chose not to be involved. They chose again to be the observers of Australian politics rather than the participants in Australian politics. I am asked about what industry has had to say about what has been announced. The Business Council of Australia have said this:

Business welcomes progress towards ending the impasse on climate and energy policy and delivering certainty about the future.

…   …   …

Businesses agree that we can't make the same mistakes as the past by letting ambiguity and uncertainty undermine progress, Australia needs a credible, durable framework to reach its climate targets and grow the economy.

Innes Willox, from the Australian Industry Group, said this: 'It's a good deal. Overall, industry will view the announced deal with some relief that pragmatism and reasonable compromise have prevailed. This gives industry the certainty it needs to make the investments it needs to both keep the lights on and industry moving.'

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business and the Leader of the Nationals will cease interjecting.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said this: 'We welcome the certainty the agreement will bring.' The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association said this:

The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) welcomes the certainty of the reformed Safeguard Mechanism which will help Australia reach its emission reduction targets faster …

That's what they had to say.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Nationals will cease interjecting or will be warned.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's no wonder that the member for Bass had this to say:

I'm utterly exasperated by the lack of engagement from my own side to come to the table and engage in a constructive conversation about how the safeguard mechanism could be improved.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How is this relevant to the gas prices in Victoria?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, 'How is this relevant?' to a comment from one of her own backbenchers. I'll tell you what, what is relevant is that we are getting on with the job of delivering. Those opposite could try and get anyone who lives anywhere near the seat of Aston—unlike their candidate for Aston— (Time expired)