Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Xenophon for his question. As I've just outlined to the Senate, the national electricity guarantee is the next step in a comprehensive range of action that the Turnbull government has already been taking to drive down electricity price pressures across the different parts of what is a complex supply chain.

Senator Xenophon well knows that across the electricity market you have retailers, distributors and wholesalers or generators, all contributing to the different price pressures. That's why our action has been so comprehensive. It is to engage with retailers, alongside the ACCC, and to make sure that consumers, households and businesses get the best possible energy deal, to ensure that people secure from their retailer something that will give them access to an electricity price that is more affordable than what they're currently paying. That's why we are investing in action to deliver better, more reliable energy sources in the future, such as Snowy Hydro.

It is why this chamber, this week, passed our reforms to abolish the limited merits review in relation to network distribution. I'm disappointed that Senator Xenophon was virtually a sole voice in this chamber, seemingly opposing or questioning the abolition of the limited merits review. The Labor Party recognised the benefits of doing so. I welcome their support in doing so.