Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Molan for his question. Senator Molan, like every member of the Liberal and National parties, is firmly committed to ensuring that Australian retirees have the lowest electricity bills possible, that Australian families have the lowest electricity bills possible and that Australian businesses have the lowest electricity bills possible. They are the absolute priorities of the Morrison government—our determination to make sure that we deliver on practical action to lower power prices.

That's why we're driving forward with the ACCC recommendations to stop price gouging by energy companies, to provide customers with a clear price safety net and to back investment in reliable generation that will encourage more competition in the market. The combination of all of these factors will deliver for Australians—for Australian households and for Australian businesses—lower power prices. Indeed, they're building upon a track record of the Liberal and National parties that has already seen reductions in power prices announced in Queensland, in New South Wales and in South Australia from 1 July. They will see the securing of gas for Australians, seeing gas prices down by around 50 per cent. We've managed to rein in the power of energy networks—which, if Labor had done it sooner, could have saved Australian households over $6 billion. And we've seen around 1.8 million Australian households take advantage of the opportunity to get onto a better energy plan for the future, and they've done so because of the drive and the focus that this government has provided to encourage more households to make the switch. Overall, these reforms will make sure that households, businesses, retirees, families, those investing in exports and others will have the lowest energy prices possible, and that will continue to be the relentless focus of this government.