Joint media release - Australians struggling under Albanese Government's energy crisis

TED O’BRIEN MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FAIRFAX

MELISSA MCINTOSH MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENERGY AFFORDABILITY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WESTERN SYDNEY
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LINDSAY

MEDIA STATEMENT

3/12/2024

AUSTRALIANS STRUGGLING UNDER ALBANESE GOVERNMENT'S ENERGY CRISIS

The Albanese Government’s continued failure to address Australia’s energy crisis is plunging even more families and businesses into unprecedented levels of hardship.

New data from the Australian Energy Regulator confirms what Australians already know: skyrocketing energy prices are making life harder for families and forcing businesses to close their doors.

Nationally, the number of electricity and gas customers in hardship has increased by 79% and 86% respectively in the last 2 years, highlighting the devastating impact of rising energy costs on Australian households.

Since the Albanese Government came to office, an additional 560 families each week have been forced to sign up for hardship arrangements with their energy retailers.

The Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Ted O’Brien said Australia energy crisis is of the Albanese Government's making.

"Australia's energy prices are among the highest in the world, and families are paying the price. This new data exposes how dire it's become. Every week, more and more families are pushed into financial hardship as they struggle to keep the lights on.

"The energy crisis is not only hurting families but also crippling small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and nearly 25,000 businesses have gone insolvent since the Albanese Labor Government came to power, with energy costs a significant factor in their closures.”

Shadow Minister for Energy Affordability, Melissa McIntosh said families and small and family businesses are feeling the brunt of Labor’s renewables-only blunder, particularly in NSW where energy hardship has doubled.  

"Anthony Albanese promised $275 off household energy bills in 2021. In Western Sydney, mums and dads are now paying $1000 more for their energy and many are on hardship payments to keep the lights on.

"Families, seniors and young renters not being able to afford their energy bills is not the Australia we know. We need a Coalition government elected to build nuclear power plants and get more gas into the market to provide cheaper and consistent energy for all Australians.” 

Only the Coalition is committed to delivering cheap, clean and consistent energy to all Australians.

We call on the Albanese Government to take immediate action, Australians deserve better than empty promises and mounting energy bills.