James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
2:13 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Prior to the last election the Prime Minister promised Australians on 97 occasions that he would reduce their power bills by $275. Did the Prime Minister deliver on his promise?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2:14 pm
I first make the point that our plan is delivering cheaper energy right now. We delivered energy relief, which has cut $300 off power bills. The person who asked that question is of a party that has voted against every piece of energy bill relief that we have provided to Australians.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
I regret to do this, but I have a point of order on relevance. The question was actually, 'Did the Prime Minister deliver on his promise in relation to the $275 reduction that was made 97 times?' I don't believe the minister is anywhere near answering that.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I said at the outset our plan is delivering cheaper energy right now, and we've delivered energy relief which has cut hundreds of dollars off Australians' power bills. We delivered $650 in energy relief to small business—
Sue Lines President
Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Cash, a point of order?
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Point of order in relation to relevance—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
I'm sorry, Senator Cash. I'm going to call the Senate to order.
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
It's a point of order in relation to relevance. The question was: given that the Prime Minister made a promise to the Australian people, did he deliver it?
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Cash. Minister Wong, I'll remind you of the question and invite you to continue your response.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
President, I've answered it. Our plan is delivering cheaper energy now, and it stands in stark contrast to the nuclear fantasy, which will push up power prices by $1,200 and deliver less than four per cent of our energy needs. You don't like these facts, do you?
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
There is a point of order on relevance that I wish to raise, and that is that the opposition's policy in relation to nuclear energy has absolutely nothing to do with the question I put to Senator Wong about the Prime Minister keeping his promises.
Sue Lines President
Senator McGrath, that is a debating point. What I'm advised is that talking about the opposition's policies is not relevant, but the minister is being relevant to the question that you asked, Senator McGrath.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Our plan is delivering cheaper energy right now, and I welcome the fact that the opposition wants to avoid talking about their policy. Before the election, Australians are going to know precisely what your policy is, Senator McGrath. It will deliver more expensive energy, it will cost $600 billion and you would have to pay for it. People will know about that.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
2:17 pm
Prior to the last election, the Prime Minister promised Australian families cheaper mortgages. Did the Prime Minister deliver on his promise?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Can I point out to the senator that, when we came to government, inflation had a six in front of it and now inflation has a two in front of it. I would point out to those opposite that, in fact, under this government you've seen inflation falling, you have seen unemployment falling and you've seen wages rising. These are good things. Now, I know those opposite don't wish to see higher wages, and I know those opposite don't wish to understand what's happening with inflation—
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
I'm sorry to do this to you, but I have a point of order on relevance. Senator Wong has once again referred to the opposition when the question was very clear and in relation to whether the Prime Minister delivered on his promise to deliver cheaper mortgages.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I want to also point out that the government has passed a range of policies which have assisted and will assist homeowners with their mortgage payments, with the price of houses and with the supply of houses; one of those was the Help to Buy shared equity scheme. (Time expired).
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
2:19 pm
The Prime Minister also said prior to the last election:
…when I make a mistake, I'll fess up to it, and I'll set about correcting that mistake … I won't blame someone else, I'll accept responsibility.
When will the Prime Minister admit to Australians that he promised them cheaper mortgages and cheaper electricity and all that he's delivered is a cost-of-living crisis?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
President, I wish to raise a point of order in relation to relevance. The question was about the Prime Minister and whether he has admitted that he has made a mistake in relation to delivering a cost-of-living crisis. It was nothing to do with Peter Dutton or me.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I'm very happy to get to our record of higher wages, lower inflation and lower unemployment. I'm very happy to talk about that. But I think Senator McGrath and Mr Dutton should acknowledge their mistake of a $50 billion cut from public hospitals and a GP tax on every Australian. I think it would be good if they could acknowledge their mistake, which is their $600 billion of funding for a nuclear scheme—a nuclear fantasy—for more-expensive power that will deliver four per cent of Australia's grid. I'm all for accountability, Senator McGrath. We have yet to see it from Mr Dutton.