Mr BUCHHOLZ (Wright) (13:59): With the time afforded to me, I want to put forward the Turnbull government's position on putting downward pressure on energy prices. As we come into this place, you will hear that drool and drivel from the other side as they make light of the fact we are putting downward pressure on energy prices. They will attack the integrity of the co-authors of the project. They will come into this place and attack those authors.
Let me tell you who these people are who put some time into assisting the government in preparing what the future energy mix needs to look like. Dr Kerry Schott, the Chair of the Energy Security Board, did an enormous amount of work. Those on the other side will have to say that this is 'ad Schott' policy on the run! They have no regard for Audrey Zibelman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Energy Market Operator, who worked tirelessly in this space, or John Pierce, the Chair of the Australian Energy Market Commission. Those on the other side will come into this place and trivialise the work these people have done in putting downward pressure on the energy sector, including that of Paula Conboy, Chair of the Australian Energy Regulator.
We are the side, the government, that will put downward pressure on energy. Those on the other side will come to this place and trivialise the work we are doing. You will not hear one word from the other side on what their energy alternative is, because it looks like $65 billion more in funding over the forward—
A government member: $66 billion!
Mr BUCHHOLZ: $66 billion over those years when they'll continue to want to make subsidies to an industry that needs reform.
Video of speech: https://youtu.be/Y5ZxzptNJ8U