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Rising Electricity Prices

Published on: June 2022

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-125577

Rising Electricity Prices

Mr JIHAD DIB (Lakemba) (17:00:10):

I move:

That this House notes the energy Minister promised in November 2020 that electricity prices would be $130 lower for households and $430 lower for small business, yet electricity prices are set to rise by up to 18 per cent next month.

The public interest debate today focuses on the issue of energy prices. After spending question time and this morning's press conference congratulating themselves, the Government is telling us how it is tackling the cost‑of‑living crisis. This debate is an opportunity to bring the Government back to reality. The cold, hard reality is that this State is in a cost-of-living crisis that represents a broken promise on the part of the Government.

In November 2020, the energy Minister promised the people of New South Wales that electricity prices would be $130 lower, and $430 lower for business. I do not need to point out that this is a broken promise—every family in New South Wales knows that. The cost-of-living crisis and the cost of energy is a key part of that. The newspapers are splashed with percentages and statistics about what the energy crisis looks like, but we know what the crisis looks like through the conversations that we have with our communities. Just this afternoon a lady came into my electorate office at Punchbowl complaining of an increase of $500 in her power bill. She is already struggling. She had reached out to community groups, seeking support. Those groups are already exhausted because of the support that they are offering to many others like her. As any good local member would, I am trying to help her to get her hands on an Energy Accounts Payment Assistance [EAPA] voucher.

One of my electorate officers relayed to me a story about their elderly parents and what price rises mean for them, especially in terms of energy. We are hearing about people who, during this blisteringly cold winter, are now having to think twice about whether they turn on their heaters. We live in a First World country. We should not have to make a choice between staying warm and using power. We hear from people who are doing it tough; at the same time, we are hearing from a government that is out of touch. After 11 years, the Government has now decided to address the cost‑of‑living issue. What this Government does not have is a plan. It has a piecemeal approach—a couple of announcements here and there in the lead‑up to the budget. The Government has been quick to blame everyone but itself.

The facts are that this morning the energy Minister stood up and talked about an Energy Bill Buster package. He used alliteration—here I draw on my former English teacher skills. He said it's about sending "Putin's power prices packing"—good alliteration. But whilst these are really cute lines, and I hope the Minister thanks his spin doctors for them, they shift the responsibility away from him as the Minister for Energy. The energy price crisis was emerging before the issue in Ukraine. Prices for Australian thermal coal have gone through the roof. The spot coal price at the moment is US$330 per tonne. Coal and gas prices have been driven up not only by the war in Ukraine but also by outages in Australian coal‑fired power stations and the impact of the pandemic on supply chains. In June, the average wholesale price in New South Wales hit an eye‑watering $470 per kilowatt hour. That is up nearly 50 per cent from May, which was already the highest and was skyrocketing at that point.

We have to remember that we are in the Chamber talking about the impact that price increases have on households. At the household level, New South Wales power bills are going to rise anywhere between 8½ and 15 per cent. If the average bill is about $1,400 a year, that equates to an increase of up to $200. This is due to a number of things. It is due to over‑reliance on high gas prices because of the outages from the coal‑fired stations. We know that coal output has fallen. Furthermore, we know that the energy Minister has been in discussions about Eraring Power Station. During budget estimates he guaranteed that prices would be $130 lower for households. He cannot say one thing but not back it up and then look to blame somebody else. It is all about having a plan and having a way to deal with it. I know the impact that has on workers and so forth, as does the member for Lake Macquarie.

The Opposition does not expect the Government to predict everything that is going to happen. It is geopolitical and not necessarily in our hands. But it does expect an anticipation of what could happen. What is the war‑gaming that is going on? What is the way to anticipate what could potentially go wrong? As I said at the outset, the energy crisis is linked directly to the cost‑of‑living crisis. We can see that right now, whether it is the fact that fuel is, unbelievably, up around the $2 mark per litre, or whether it is the price hikes in food. Who would have thought we would be paying $5.50 for a lettuce this week? Interest rates had their single biggest hike in over two decades. Opposition members understand, and we would support relief. We support any situation that supports communities, families and individuals.

Today in question time Government members spoke about the Bill Buster concession and how it compares with other States. Our biggest problem is that these rebates are not being taken up. People do not know about them. A question was asked about seniors; 75 per cent of seniors do not even qualify. The Minister joked about it with colleagues, talking about what they would qualify for. Under today's proposal, they actually do not qualify. The Solar for Low Income Households scheme was meant to have 3,000 people; it has 1,267. This whole "Putin's bill buster" thing is a way of rebadging what already existed. It is a way of robbing Peter to pay Paul. If it is an expansion, it does not cover it. It is only going to cover part of the up‑front cost.

If you apply for this scheme and then your experience is worsening financial hardship over a 10‑year period, you are on your own. If you apply for this scheme and then move house, you are on your own. If you struggle to finance the gap between the rebate and the up‑front cost, you are on your own. If your personal financial conditions change, you are on your own. If you are part of the 75 per cent of seniors who are not eligible for this, you are on your own. The final point is critical. We have to make sure that everybody is supported. We have to make sure that when there is an announcement it is actually backed up, because over and over again we have seen that the Government is very good on announcements, very good on spin and terrible on delivery.

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (17:07:35):

I recognise that the member for Lakemba and I are on the same page—as is everybody in this House—about our concern for families, households and small businesses across our State. There is a lot of uncertainty. There is a lot of fear. There are questions about how people will afford their power bills and the rising cost of petrol. The challenges that people are facing with cost‑of‑living pressures across New South Wales are a genuine concern for this Government, and it is working to act on that, as it has for a very long time. But cost‑of‑living prices are rising due to global instability. Inflation, which is much higher in many other countries around the globe, means that the cost of everyday necessities like petrol is rising, and the recent rises in interest rates will continue to put pressure upon household mortgages. It puts household budgets under strain and causes a lot of anxiety in our community. We hear that, and we feel that.

I acknowledge the stress this puts on families, but I do not like the political game being played by those opposite. I thought the member for Lakemba was better than that. It is completely inappropriate to play that game, and I do not think it is appropriate for the member for Coogee to scoff at the concerns that people have about being able to pay for their electricity bills. When it comes to household energy bills, regardless of the rhetoric of the member for Lakemba, the current price rise is a direct result of geopolitical instability. Whether you like or dislike alliteration and the rhetorical flourish of the Treasurer and Minister for Energy, this is a direct result of Vladimir Putin and the Government of the Russian Federation. It was a lesson given to the member for Lakemba and everyone opposite today to try to understand how gas prices influence electricity prices, but it is obviously a lesson that they did not learn before today or from the many successive questions they put to the Minister in question time.

The instability in Eastern Europe has placed significant pressure upon international gas prices, and that in turn puts pressure on domestic coal and gas prices. As we speak, the Minister for Energy is joining with energy Ministers from the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, alongside Federal Minister Bowen, to discuss and work through solutions to the serious issues facing our energy network and households in our State and nation. They are working together in a bipartisan way to solve this issue, because that is what governments that care about outcomes for the community do. They do not play political point‑scoring, like those opposite are doing with this motion.

This Government is delivering much‑needed energy bill relief to the households that need it most, including through today's announcement of the Energy Bill Buster package. In his contribution, the member for Lakemba belittled and denigrated every single cost‑of‑living scheme that the Government has out there to support people, and then he said that we have not been focused on the cost of living. I note the irony of those two conflicting statements, noting the fact that the Government has consistently had a series of cost‑of‑living initiatives to try to help households for many years. We recognise that Service NSW has the best programs to help people reduce their cost of living.

It is disappointing that those opposite continue to play politics, but let us be abundantly clear: The motion before the House today refers to the electricity bill impacts of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. The road map was legislated in 2020. I note that those opposite supported us in our policy, because they do not have their own. The road map is the Government's plan to transform our electricity sector to be cheaper, cleaner and more reliable, and it will directly support the development of new electricity infrastructure in New South Wales. It is going to unlock up to $32 billion in private investment. Assistant Speaker Piper would know just how excited people are about the renewable energy zones. They are oversubscribed for interest. The road map is vital to ensuring that the State's electricity system is reliable and affordable, particularly as our power stations retire and need to be replaced.

The reference that the member made to the savings that would be generated of around $130 a year on the average household electricity bill and $430 a year on the average small business electricity bill between 2023 and 2040, noting that it is not yet 2023, was compared to the situation if the road map was not implemented. That is the furphy of the political game that is, disappointingly, being pushed by the member for Lakemba. He is usually better than that. But the key part of this is the implementation of the road map, and I am happy to inform the House that the first tender for the independent consumer trustee, AEMO Services, is commencing in quarter four of this year. Without the road map there would be significant rises in wholesale electricity prices, but New South Wales has been shown to have the highest level of investor confidence in Australia according to the Clean Energy Council's latest confidence index report, which will lead to those outcomes. The Government is building the electricity generation required to secure our energy for the future and to lower power prices in the long run. The Opposition opposes renewable energy, investment, jobs and lower power prices.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL (Coogee) (17:12:43):

I thank the member for Lakemba for bringing this public interest debate to the House, noting that in November 2020 the energy Minister promised that electricity prices would be $130 lower for households and $430 lower for small businesses. When the Minister proposed that, he was making a promise to the people of this State to address the cost of living. It is not just about electricity. The reality is that New South Wales is in an absolute cost‑of‑living crisis.

Mr Gurmesh Singh:

Thanks, Albo.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

"Thanks, Albo"? Thank your Coalition for the past decade. Like everything this Government does, they are empty promises. The Government is out of touch. It is dishonest to people, because the reality is that the price of everything is going up. In the last quarter, wholesale electricity prices shot up by 141 per cent. There was an 18 per cent increase in prices after the Minister promised a reduction. Increases of $250 a year are about to come into effect. Small business customers will also be affected by the changes. The first major increase in electricity prices came when this Government privatised electricity. We on this side of the House know that every time things are privatised profits come before people and shareholders come before communities. This Government is out of touch. The reality is that we are in a cost‑of‑living crisis— absolutely everything is increasing. Inflation is at its highest level since the introduction of the GST. Electricity prices are increasing but so too are gas and petrol prices. Petrol costs over $2 a litre. The cost of fuel has risen by 9.6 per cent. The cost of vegetables has increased by over 14 per cent in the past year.

Mr Jihad Dib:

Lettuce is pricey!

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

KFC is now using cabbage instead of lettuce. This Government and the Minister are completely out of touch. In relation to cost of living, the reality is that the Government can control some things and not others. This Government could be doing many things to assist people in Sydney and New South Wales with the cost of living. But it is choosing not to do them. That is the reality. New South Wales is now the highest taxed and tolled State in Australia. The Government has its hands on those levers but it is choosing not to use them. Instead, it taxes and tolls everyone. Over the past year local taxes and charges have increased by 10 per cent. Gas prices are going up. It wants to blame Russia, but it has control.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

Government members will come to order.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

Another clear thing that the Government can do to address the cost of living is address real wages. Today another group of people took industrial action. Our public sector workers, teachers, nurses and all of our essential workers were out there. The cost of living is up. If you want to make people's lives easier, address wages. That is one of the clear things that you could be doing.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Point of order: I ask that the member address her comments through the Chair.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

I uphold the point of order. But I understand what was happening.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

I am simply saying that if this Government would like to address the cost of living, one of the clear things that it could be doing is addressing real wages.

Ms Eleni Petinos:

We are, repeatedly.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

Let me quote what the unions have said regarding your approach. They call it "a smoke and mirrors affair".

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

The member for Terrigal will come to order.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

I am a proud trade unionist and I stand side by side with the tens of thousands of public sector workers. I am a proud trade unionist, and I will say it every single day. Smoke and mirrors! Today one trade unionist told me that they are not going to be bought by your "shitty bribe". This is the reality: the hypocrisy of this Government and this Minister.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Point of order—

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

But do you know what? The hypocrisy of this Government is being called out.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

The member's time has expired. There is no point of order.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

You have not allowed me to take my point of order.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

There is no reason for the member to take a point of order as the contribution has concluded.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Mr Assistant Speaker, the standing orders permit a member to take a point of order at any time. I ask that you or the Speaker address the matter of unparliamentary language with the member for Coogee.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

I will deal with it at the end of the debate.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

I thank you for your indulgence.

Mr DAVID LAYZELL (Upper Hunter) (17:18:29):

On behalf of the Government, I oppose the motion. I thank the member for Lakemba for raising the important topic of energy because we understand how important energy is for strong economies. Rising energy bills will cause a lot of stress to economies in the Hunter Valley, where I come from, and across New South Wales, Australia and indeed the world. I am glad that we are discussing energy. I represent a region that is an industrial powerhouse. The Hunter Valley produces a lot of power through the Bayswater and Liddell power stations. It is important that this topic is brought to the fore because challenges are being felt throughout the world. Across the world there is huge demand for our coal. In some regards the Hunter Valley is glad to see that massive demand. We can ship out our coal and make good money for the people in the region who are working hard every day and paying for all the services that we need in our economy.

Prices are rising in accordance with international pressures. The terrible war in Ukraine is putting a lot of pressure on gas prices. We need to decide what to do to help families going forward. Today the Government announced the $128 million Energy Bill Buster package as part of the 2022‑23 budget, which will help thousands of families by boosting their household budgets by providing free solar systems or home appliance upgrades. Home owners who receive the Low Income Household Rebate will soon be eligible to choose a fully installed solar system, which will save them up to $600 a year, compared with the annual $285 rebate. We know how popular those solar systems are. They are certainly the way forward in the provision of cheap power to households. But we will always need the grid in some way to provide essential power. We will continue working to make sure that we have that baseload power.

I do not think any State or economy is doing more work than this State is doing through its renewables road map to ensure that we have that baseload power going forward. Let me tell members more about what we are doing to help families. We are helping seniors with the gas rebate. People who receive the Low Income Household Rebate and who rent or live in apartments—for whom a solar system is, therefore, unsuitable—will be eligible to receive energy efficient fridges, dryers and air‑conditioners to the value of $4,000. One million New South Wales households that currently receive an energy rebate will be eligible for the package, which allows them to receive the equivalent of up to 10 years worth of rebates in an up‑front lump sum contribution towards free solar or home appliances.

The purpose of those upgrades is to introduce more energy efficiency into our homes, reduce energy usage and lower energy bills for households that can least afford them. The package has been endorsed by the energy consumer champion Craig Memery from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, who has said that it is practical and timely action. He well and truly endorses this action by the New South Wales Government. It is much‑needed help for people to reduce their energy costs. Rewiring Australia has also come on board and welcomed the announcement, along with the Smart Energy Council, which has said, "This is leadership." Perhaps members opposite should pay more attention to a real energy policy and solutions, instead of playing cheap, nasty political games.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

Opposition members will come to order and cease assisting the member for Upper Hunter.

Mr DAVID LAYZELL:

The Energy Bill Buster package is just one of the ways that this Government is taking cost‑of‑living pressure off families and small business, leaving more money in pockets at the end of the week.

Ms LIESL TESCH (Gosford) (17:23:38):

I thank the member for Lakemba for bringing this important motion to the House. It is all well and good to give out these prizes of taxpayers' money to the people. But the investment is 10 years too late. The Government has not made the investment, knowing full well that power stations are closing down over the next 15 years—10 years too late. As we all know, Mr Matt Kean is great at telling us how good his supposed achievements are in his portfolio areas but he is very quick to run from his past statements as energy Minister. In 2020 he promised a $130 reduction for individuals and a $430 reduction for small businesses. That is a fail from Mr Matt Kean. He said that the Government's policy on energy would aim to avoid price rises and maintain a reliable system. That is another fail. He claimed that the Government would keep the lights on. That is another fail. The state of energy in New South Wales is another gift of more than a decade of Liberal-Nationals power at the State and Federal levels by governments who failed to tackle the hard cost-of-living challenges facing our communities.

In 2014 the deregulation of the electricity market by the Liberal-Nationals Government paved the way for suppliers to charge exactly what they want. Now we are seeing suppliers offloading their customers to others because they know they cannot keep up with the prices they had promised. The suppliers of energy will get bigger and bigger, with more and more power over the people who are paying for their energy and governments having to subsidise their way out. Now, thanks to the Federal Liberal-Nationals Government, we have been left with what Chris Bowen describes as a bin fire of problems inherited from nine years of the Liberal‑Morrison Government in action. The Morrison Government talked about a gas-led recovery and had 22 different energy policies, but it failed to deliver one during its nine years in power. As a result, on the east coast of Australia we are left with no gas for our domestic market and ridiculous, increasing prices for our electricity. And we in New South Wales must pick up the pieces, which makes the New South Wales energy Minister look like an absolute fool. In reality, electricity prices might double by 1 July and will go up by at least 18 per cent.

This is not the only cost‑of‑living crisis facing the people of New South Wales, who have been neglected by the Perrottet Government. In March the Domain rental report revealed that rents across New South Wales are higher than ever, particularly in regional areas such as mine. The member for Terrigal knows that the Central Coast has been smashed by rental price increases. Woy Woy is up by 12 per cent. Umina is up by 13 per cent. North Gosford is up by 15 per cent. Those increases are higher than rental price increases across most other areas of Australia. Recently, my office was approached by a social worker who was concerned for a family of five, a dad and his four children, who were forced to seek accommodation in a factory workshop because houses have become too dear. This is a direct result of the New South Wales Government's inability to fund maintenance and build the amount of public housing we need to keep people off the streets and to get people back on their feet.

These are not the only cost-of-living crises, as we see electricity prices go through the roof. On 1 April this year tolls went up, for the Cross City Tunnel by 5.3 per cent, for the M7 by 5.5 per cent, for the M5 Southwest by 4.8 per cent, and the for NorthConnex by 5.7 per cent—all above the rate of inflation. These increases are piled on top of the hundreds of dollars commuters already pay directly into Premier Perrottet's coffers. In regions like mine, for people who travel to and from Sydney to work, these increases make a huge difference to the amount of food on the kitchen table and budgets that are already stretched by the cost of groceries, rent and electricity. This Government is toll obsessed. It was sprung by the Opposition last year when the transport department let slip that it planned to put a two-way toll on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, slugging coasties not only on the way to work but also on the way home.

Mr Jihad Dib:

Double slug.

Ms LIESL TESCH:

Double slug, and on top of electricity prices. Commuters know that every time that beep goes off, Dominic Perrottet is reaching into their bank accounts and taking away more of their hard‑earned money. It is a double whammy because Central Coast residents have been slugged by additional council rates and water rates for another 10 years, thanks to the failed merger imposed by the New South Wales Government. That is another bill on the coasties' doorsteps, thanks to Premier Perrottet and his out-of-touch Government. After more than a decade of letting the cost of living spiral into crisis, the Government wants to get out the chequebook and provide some pocket money to paper over the cracks of a decade of inaction.

Mr ADAM CROUCH (Terrigal) (17:28:46):

At the outset, I state that the Government does not support this motion, obviously. Unfortunately, I have only five minutes to speak to it. I could have responded more fully to the member for Gosford's claims about council costs going up. I would remind the member that the Labor‑led council racked up half a billion dollars' worth of debt. Every time someone opens a rate notice, they can be reminded at least of councillor Matthew's incompetence. In addition—

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

Opposition members will come to order. The member for Gosford will come to order. The Clerk will stop the clock. The member for Gosford began interjecting as she re-entered the Chamber and before she had reached her seat. I have spoken to the member for North Shore about her earlier activity and I have previously removed the member for Hawkesbury for interjecting. If the member for Gosford continues to interject, she will be removed from the Chamber under Standing Order 249A. The member will please desist.

Mr ADAM CROUCH:

We listened to their rubbish in silence, so I would expect the Opposition to do the same. This is nothing more than a cheap stunt, as we saw during question time. It is disappointing that the member for Lakemba said that there is no cost-of-living support from this Government. I say to her that there are 70 different cost-of-living support measures provided by Service NSW. Service NSW was opposed by those opposite, who wanted to keep the Roads and Traffic Authority [RTA]. That was their vision for the future. The member for Coogee cannot even get through a speech without using unparliamentary language. She could not get through a whole five minutes without a swear word. Families, households and small businesses are doing it tough. We see what is going on across the globe. Unfortunately, those opposite do not understand basic economics, as was shown by the member for Coogee. It is breathtaking that they come in here and lecture us about cost‑of‑living support. Their vision for the future was to keep the RTA. The member for Lakemba is better than this.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

The member for Coogee will come to order.

Mr ADAM CROUCH:

He brings out the B team to argue the case. It is interesting. Those opposite supported our renewable energy zones because they had no energy policy of their own. They had to come into this place with their tails between their legs and say, "The Government's got a great policy. We better jump in and support it." The legislation for the renewable energy zones, which include the Central Coast, is a fantastic piece of legislation. I would be pleased if the member for Coogee interjected without swearing for the next two minutes. If she can get through that, she is doing a good job. I say to the member for Gosford that this Government is providing families with support, including toll relief. We did not create a situation where people did not have choices about using toll roads, unlike those opposite. I remind the member for Coogee of the word "gentraders". Her disgusting Government prorogued this place when it flogged off the generators, with no public consultation. So we will not be lectured by any of you about how to run an electrical grid—

Dr Marjorie O'Neill:

Point of order: Will the member—

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

The member for Coogee will not come to the lectern until I call her. The member rises on a point of order.

Dr Marjorie O'Neill:

Will the member for Terrigal please direct his comments through the Chair?

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

I uphold the point of order.

Mr ADAM CROUCH:

Today it became crystal clear that the Labor Party opposes renewable energy, which means opposing jobs, opposing investment and opposing lower power prices. We on this side of the Chamber are working to the future. The Government implemented renewable energy zones. We came into this place with that policy. Those opposite come into this place with nothing. What we have seen this afternoon is a cheap political stunt. I thought the member for Lakemba to be better than that. I hold him in high regard, though not so much the rest of the B team who backed him up today. We do feel for him. I bet that during question time he was thinking, "Oh dear, I've been lumbered with this public interest debate and I've got nowhere to go now", because during question time today we saw a perfect example of how to be schooled in world economics. It is interesting that those opposite talk about support, though they implemented nothing during their time in government. This Government has provided all the cost-of-living supports for people. Those opposite sold off the gentraders. They are the ones who did all the murky deals behind the scenes. They prorogued Parliament because they did not want to show the State what they were doing.

Mr Kevin Conolly:

No accountability.

Mr ADAM CROUCH:

It was a government with no accountability, as the member for Riverstone said, and that is why it got shown the door. The great thing is that we look forward to assisting communities across not just the Central Coast but also New South Wales with cost-of-living support.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

I remind the member for North Shore that this is a debate, not a conversation. There are rules of debate and one of those rules is that there shall be no interjections or communication across the table.

Mr JIHAD DIB (Lakemba) (17:34:56):

In reply: I tell you what, they live in la-la land and are very delusional.

Dr Marjorie O'Neill:

Delusional.

Mr JIHAD DIB:

Delusional. Ironically, Government members accused us of playing political games and yet spent their time saying a whole range of things. I suppose it is incumbent on me to thank everybody who contributed to the debate, so I thank members for their contributions. The nice thing is that everybody who spoke was passionate, which is important. One of the best contributions I heard came from the member for Terrigal, who repeated his Young Liberals stump speech during this debate. It was a straight-out stump speech from the Young Liberals, and I thought it was fantastic. I had to listen and I thank those opposite for giving me—

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

The member for Lakemba will be heard in relative silence at least. I draw members' attention to the fact that Hansard needs to hear the debate.

Mr JIHAD DIB:

It is a delaying tactic. Obviously they do not want me to speak because they know that we are going to tear them to shreds. Government members talk about political games and pointscoring. The fact of the matter is one particular member claimed that I said we opposed cost-of-living measures. That is simply untrue. If she had listened to my speech, she would know that I said such things are really important. My criticism was that we have a Minister and a government that looks to blame what is happening overseas. I did say we cannot blame everything on geopolitics but, gee, we can be a lot better at planning—gee, we can just do a lot better. Why didn't we see the writing on the wall when things were privatised? Why didn't we see the writing on the wall when prices started going up?

We talked about renewable energy. We know that is part of the mix. We heard about the road map. Get the road map moving. I keep hearing all sorts of claims from the member for North Shore. I look forward to our net zero legislation, which is based on renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, coming up for debate because I want to see whether the member for North Shore and the member for Terrigal will vote for it. Otherwise, everything they have said today is hollow. The fact is that under this Government the cost of living has skyrocketed. Those opposite are looking to blame other people. They are looking to blame everybody except themselves. They have no idea. They have no plan, and what they end up doing is throwing away more and more money. Their response is that we have no policy. The fact is there is $265 million in rebates that are not claimed.

Ministers and members opposite can say whatever they want, but the reason they interrupt is they know that we are on the side of right. Families are struggling. Families cannot afford the cost of living under this Minister, who said that the energy rates were going to go down. They have actually gone up. Those opposite have got nothing. They are very good at spin but have given us nothing. There is no real plan. What we have is more spin and alliteration. We deserve better. The people of New South Wales deserve better. They deserve honesty.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (17:38:37):

Order! Before I put the question, I will address a matter that was raised by the member for North Shore. She took offence at a word that was used and took a point of order that it was unparliamentary. I did not hear the word—I was actually reading the standing orders at the time. I asked the member for Coogee what was said. I now understand what was said and I will rule on the point of order. Without repeating it, the word that the member referred to is—and I am interested whether anyone wants to argue about this—very much in the common vernacular. It is commonly heard in corridors and offices. It is not in the most offensive order of vulgar terminology. It was also a direct quote, I understand, from a person who used the word to mean something that was extremely bad or offensive and something they did not agree with. The word has multiple meanings, I understand that, but it is not typically considered to be offensive. Using an alternative word in that circumstance would not necessarily have been appropriate either. I do not believe the word was so offensive that it should be struck down as being unparliamentary.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

So you won't say it but you don't think it's offensive?

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

I do not wish to further excite members on the Government benches. I rule that the use of the term in that context was not unparliamentary. We shall now proceed.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Mr Speaker, may I ask a question?

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

I will not entertain debate on this matter.

Mr Kevin Conolly:

That's inconsistent with previous rulings.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

The matter can be taken up with the Speaker.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

I want to ask a question, if that is okay. For my understanding, does this come from a previous ruling? Does it reflect a previous Speaker's ruling?

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

It is a new ruling, but I understand that there have been rulings on this matter previously. I am sure the member for North Shore will appreciate there is some subjectivity in this. I have made a ruling today. It can be contested and challenged at a later time.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

I was just asking for clarification, thank you.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER:

I will now put the question. The question is that the motion be agreed to.

The House divided.

Ayes36

Noes41

Majority5

Motion negatived.