Energy Minister Chris Bowen has failed to directly answer questions about rising electricity prices during a heated exchange with Sky News political contributor Chris Uhlmann.
In a tense back-and-forth at the National Press Club energy debate, Mr Uhlmann challenged the minister over the government’s failed promises to reduce household power bills by $275.
Ahead of the 2022 federal election, Labor’s modelling predicted a $275 annual cut to household electricity bills by 2025 under its climate and energy policy.
However, following higher power prices, Mr Bowen was unable to respond to the simple question about whether power prices have gone up or down.
“Chris Bowen, in December 2021 you commissioned modelling which showed – and you pledged – that you would drop power prices by $275 for residential homes,” Mr Uhlmann said.
“You committed to it again in April 2022 when you were told that modelling was flawed, you continued to commit to it in 2023 and 2024 even though electricity prices were rising.
“You’re now claiming that electricity price falls due to subsidies are a fall in an electricity bill.
“Electricity prices are rising, aren’t they, Minister? And if you can’t admit that simple fact here today why should anyone believe anything you say?”
Mr Bowen, who had opened his remarks by defending the government’s investment in renewables, failed to directly answer the question.
After Mr Bowen responded that he wasn’t “exactly sure” what the question was, Mr Uhlmann put it simply, “Are electricity prices going up or down?”
Rather than give a definitive answer, Mr Bowen pushed back at what he described as “disingenuous” commentary on Sky News.
“With great respect, it’s disingenuous and dishonest of you to blame all this (on) renewable energy as you do on Sky in the evenings. It’s just not right, sir. It’s just not fair,” he said.
Mr Uhlmann pressed the Energy Minister again.
“Can I ask a very, very simple question — have electricity prices risen on your watch? The exact opposite of what you pledged?” he asked
“We have never denied that energy prices are higher than we would like,” Mr Bowen said, again avoiding a direct “yes” or “no” answer.
“That’s why we’ve delivered three rounds of energy bill relief.”
The government recently renewed its energy bill rebates, spending $1.8 billion to tackle high power prices.
Mr Uhlmann pointed out that the Energy Minister had claimed electricity prices had fallen in despite the government rebates.
“Well, the fact of the matter is, if you look at the recent data, Australia’s had the lowest energy inflation in the world,” Mr Bowen said.
Throughout the exchange, Mr Bowen repeatedly attempted to redirect the discussion away from the real cost of power bills.
“I think that renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy. You disagree with me. You disagree with the CSIRO,” he said.
“If we keep the path we’re on, energy prices will fall by 13 per cent over the next 10 years.”
He did not commit to any price reductions in the short term.
“Anybody who predicts energy prices in this very complicated geopolitical environment, I think, is making a punt. So I’m not going to do that,” he said during the debate.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised about 100 times at the last election he could bring power prices down by about $275, but they have since gone up by about $500.
“We have a very carefully balanced plan, based on all the expert advice, which is the lowest cost pathway,” Mr Bowen said.
The $275 reduction in electricity bills remains a lingering political headache for Labor, heading into the 2025 election.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers refused to apologise for the failed promise during the Sky News treasurers’ debate on Wednesday.
