Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. The carbon tax is an $8 billion a year burden on electricity. By abolishing the tax, electricity prices will be around nine per cent lower and retail gas prices around seven per cent lower than they would otherwise be. On this basis, household average electricity and gas bills will be around $200 and $70 respectively lower than they would otherwise be in 2014-15, assuming a carbon tax worth $25.40 per tonne.

The filibustering from those opposite comes at the worst possible time for households: in the run-up to Christmas, when we should be doing everything we can to be promoting confidence and thinking about gifts for loved ones. The coalition was elected on a clear promise, a clear mandate, to scrap the carbon tax. The time is up. Those opposite must listen to the Australian people.

Honourable senators interjecting—