Energy

Hodgins-May argued that the Australian Energy Council represented corporate interests seeking to profit from a slower transition. Hodgins-May stated that renewables were the cheapest form of new electricity generation, citing the CSIRO, AEMO, and the Climate Council, and that gas prices were a major driver of high bills due to global volatility. Hodgins-May claimed that the coalition's abandonment of net zero targets betrayed Australians and locked them into higher energy costs.

Canavan argued that the government's claims about renewable costs were dishonest, citing CSIRO data showing coal at $111 per megawatt hour versus $116 for a renewable-firming system. Canavan stated that the net zero agenda was destroying jobs in industries such as nickel and plastics, and adding $3,400 to household budgets through increased production costs. Canavan referenced a Net Zero Australia estimate that the transition would cost between $7 trillion and $9 trillion, equating to over $250,000 per Australian.

Cox argued that the coalition's decade of delay and dysfunction had left the grid fragile and exposed to global energy shocks. Cox stated that the Australian Energy Council confirmed that a grid dominated by renewables, firmed with batteries and gas, was the least-cost pathway. Cox warned that policy chaos from the opposition would push prices up, while the government's plan provided the certainty needed to keep energy affordable.

Bell argued that the net zero experiment had imposed excessive costs on families, farmers, and manufacturers, leading to electricity bill shock. Bell cited the potential closure of the Tomago aluminium smelter by 2028 as evidence that the policy was threatening jobs and livelihoods. Bell stated that energy policy should prioritise keeping lights on, bills down, and jobs in Australia, rather than relying on slogans.

Brockman provided examples from Western Australia to illustrate rising costs, including a supermarket facing 20 to 36 per cent increases and a food processor seeing daily bills rise from $2,000 to $4,300. Brockman noted that a potato producer had seen bills increase by $20,000 annually despite increased exposure to solar and wind. Brockman argued that these increases demonstrated that the government's drive to net zero was damaging productivity and international competitiveness.