George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

No, I don't. No, I don't accept that for one moment. In fact, on any view of the Australian energy market, coal will be a very important component of the Australian energy mix for decades to come, and the presence of coal as an important continuing part of the Australian energy mix is one of the things that will make Australian electricity more affordable to Australian households when the government's National Energy Guarantee policy is put into operation.

As I said before, Senator Di Natale, it's all very well for you, a well-to do medical practitioner trying to pose as a champion of the Australian working people, but the fact is that you can afford higher electricity prices. You can afford the conceit and the virtue signalling, but they can't. So, Senator Di Natale, take a good look at yourself and the team of undergraduates behind you and get serious about this policy. (Time expired)