Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do we all remember when the Prime Minister promised $275 power cuts—on 97 occasions, no less! After three years of Labor, families and small businesses are being hit with some of the highest electricity prices that we have ever seen.

In Fisher, the stories are starting to pile up. Craig from Miles Plastics told me his bills have risen so sharply that he's had into increase prices just to stay afloat—all while struggling to find workers. Dave from BokaBites, just near my office, said his electricity tariff has jumped from 22c to more than 27c per kilowatt hour. That's a 20 per cent increase in just five months. And Howard, who runs a convenience store in Aroona, is paying 62 per cent more for power than he was a year ago. That is not sustainable for any business.

This is the real cost of a Prime Minister who made a promise he never intended to keep and a part-time energy minister who's more focused on politics than policy. The coalition backs responsible emissions reduction, but we will never support a path to net zero that punishes families or shuts down local businesses. Our plan puts reliability, affordability and Australian jobs first.

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Order! There's far too much noise.