15th Dec 2022, 1:44 PM – Senate Business - Days and Hours of Meeting - Criticise Government policy

The majority voted against an amendment moved by West Australian Senator Michaelia Cash, which means it failed.

Motion text

At the end of the motion, add:

"That the Senate—

(1) Notes:

a) the Albanese Labor Government's Energy Price Relief Plan is nothing more than policy on the run, has been described by energy experts as the "single worst piece of energy policy" seen anywhere in the last two decades, and represents yet another broken promise;

b) the Coalition supports cost of living relief measures that assist Australians with skyrocketing energy prices, but the Albanese Labor Government's plan will not deliver a cent of relief to struggling Australians and businesses until early 2023;

c) the answer to the Albanese Labor Government's energy crisis is more supply and getting more gas into Australia's domestic market will reduce electricity prices and inflation, but the Government is doing the exact opposite; and

d) the failure of the Albanese Labor Government to provide any immediate cost of living relief in the October Budget, which left the average Australian household at least $2,000 worse off at Christmas time.

(2) Calls on the Government to split the bill so Australians can have certainty that they will receive the relief they deserve from skyrocketing energy prices but also ensure that the legislative framework that regulates the gas market can be properly scrutinised by the Senate.

(3) Calls on the Minister representing the Treasurer to table any quantitative analysis, modelling outputs or reports, including in draft form, in relation to the impact of the Government's Energy Price Relief Plan on energy markets and wholesale and retail energy prices or bills prior to the second reading of the bill."