Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

I am surprised that a South Australian Liberal is asking a question about electricity. There is a long history in relation to South Australian electricity privatisation, which we can have a discussion about. But I am asked about this report, which of course references rises which are nothing to do with a carbon price—let us emphasise that. We have been upfront about the impact on electricity prices. We have been very clear with the Australian people. There will be price impacts as a result of Australia paying for the pollution we put into the atmosphere. The reason for that is, if you continue to allow people, companies in particular, to pollute without charge, then we will simply ensure that our pollution grows. We have made it clear and released modelling which said that electricity prices are likely to rise by on average $3.30 per week, around 10 per cent. We have also released the very extensive assistance package, which not all Australians will be eligible for but all Australians are able to access that information. It includes measures such as an increase to the pension, an increase to the disability support pension, an increase to family tax benefit, an increase to the carer payment and, importantly, a tax package which will encourage participation and give every Australian earning under $80,000—