7th Aug 2023, 4:07 PM – Senate Motions - Australian Capital Territory - Energy Prices

The majority voted against a motion introduced by NSW Senator Ross Cadell (Nationals) at the request of Queensland Senator Susan McDonald (Nationals). This means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) during question time on 31 July 2023, the Minister for Finance (Senator Gallagher) stated that 'the example you give in relation to the ACT, which went to 100% renewable energy years ago, when I was still in the assembly, actually saw their bills go down this year because they are using a renewable energy mix which is often cheaper than other sources of energy', and

(ii) the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission and ActewAGL have indicated that electricity and gas prices in the ACT are going up by 4.15% and 14% this year, respectively; and

(b) requires the Minister for Finance to attend the Senate at the conclusion of motions to take note of answers on Tuesday, 8 August 2023, to provide an explanation of not more than 10 minutes, clarifying the inconsistency between her statement to the chamber on 31 July 2023 and published information on ACT energy prices, and:

(i) any senator may move to take note of the explanation, and

(ii) any such motion may be debated for no longer than 30 minutes, shall have precedence over all other business until determined, and senators may speak to the motion for not more than 5 minutes each.