Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australians are grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, with households experiencing rising electricity prices and frequent bill shock. The Albanese Labor government promised that Australian households would receive a reduction in their power bills of $275. Labor made this promise not once but 97 times before the election. They've broken this promise, and it's middle Australia that's feeling the pain.

We've now seen the default market offer, and it's very grim news for Australian families and households. From 1 July 2023 one million households across Australia will be worse off, by up to $594 a year in New South Wales, $512 a year in South Australia, $402 a year in South East Queensland and $352 a year in Victoria. Over 150,000 small businesses will see their electricity bills increase by up to $1,310 a year. Yet the Prime Minister tells Australians: 'Don't worry that we broke our promise and your bills have gone way up, because we managed to stop them going up even further.'

Look by contrast at the coalition's record. Power prices reached their lowest level in eight years. In just two years under our government, power prices fell by eight per cent for households, 10 per cent for small businesses and 12 per cent for large businesses. That's how a competent government deals with energy prices. This government could learn a lot from the previous government.