No light at the end of tunnel on energy bills
AUSTRALIANS are going to be “doing it tough for a while”, the government has conceded, as the Prime Minister’s plan to ease soaring energy bills edges closer to being finalised.
Anthony Albanese will propose a package to state and territory leaders next week, after ongoing work with energy providers and the business sector to tackle the issue.
Cabinet is understood to be considering a temporary subsidy but Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said it was unlikely that Australians would see their energy bills cut by $275 – as the government promised in the lead-up to this year’s election.
“We’re doing everything we can to decrease energy bills,” Mr Shorten said.
“Of course, the promises were made before the election, before (Russian President Vladimir) Putin invaded Ukraine – that’s certainly upended things.
“We’ve got nine years of denial and delay by our predecessors. The reality is energy policy has been kicked into the grass for a decade.”
When pressed on when Australians would see relief with their bills, Mr Shorten said: “It is going to be tough for a while, no doubt.”
Mr Albanese has aimed at a Christmas deadline to finalise an energy relief package, but pressure is mounting for the government to act sooner.
Energy bills have risen about 20 per cent over the year, and are predicted to rise another 30 per cent next year.
Mr Albanese on Monday said he wanted to make sure the government could make a difference.
“These issues are not simple because of the different ownership structures, because of the different sources of energy, because of different powers that exist between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, because of the interaction of the national energy market,” he said.
“These are complex issues. We are working them through. We want to make sure that we do make a difference.”
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the government was “going to help out” those struggling to turn on their lights.
“I have constituents in my electorate who will not turn the lights on, who are literally walking around in the dark because they can’t afford it,” she said.
“We do not want that to be happening to Australians. The reasons for it are complicated and related to a whole bunch of things happening around the world … but something will be agreed with the states before Christmas.”
Cabinet will sign off on the national response ahead of next Wednesday’s national cabinet meeting.