MEDIA STATEMENT

13/03/2025

CHRIS BOWEN’S ENERGY FAILURE DEEPENS—AUSTRALIANS CAN’T AFFORD THREE MORE YEARS OF LABOR

Labor’s energy disaster is about to get worse, with power prices rising up to $1,300 more than promised.

Released today, the Default Market Offer (DMO) draft determination from the Australian Energy Regulator has again confirmed what Australians already know—Labor’s energy policies have failed, and we are footing the bill.

Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Ted O’Brien, said Australian families and businesses are being crushed by Labor’s energy failures, and the latest price update only adds to the pain.

“Three years ago, Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen promised cheaper power bills. Instead, they’ve delivered among some of the highest electricity prices in the world.

“Just this year alone household electricity bills are set to increase by up to 8.9 per cent in New South Wales, 5.8 per cent in South East Queensland and 5.1 per cent in South Australia,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Chris Bowen’s own electorate in Western Sydney is hardest hit with some households set to pay over $1,300 more than Labor promised. Bowen is driving up power prices, pushing businesses to the wall, and leaving Australians worse off.

Labor’s entire energy agenda is in crisis:

• Power bills are skyrocketing with the government failing to deliver a single dollar of its promised $275 cut.

• Emissions are flatlining, leaving Labor well off track to meet its 43% reduction target.

• Renewables are stalling, with independent analysis forecasting that even under the most optimistic scenario there will be a significant shortfall of Labors 82% target.

“Everywhere you look, Labor’s policies are failing. Labor is struggling to keep the lights, can’t get offshore wind projects off the ground, gas supply is on a knife edge, and they can’t even deliver own their reckless emissions targets,” Mr O’Brien said.

At the next election, Australians face a clear choice: another three years of soaring power bills and energy chaos under Labor, or a real plan to deliver cheap, clean and consistent energy under the Coalition.

“Ask yourself one simple question: are you better off today than you were three years ago? If you’re sick of paying more and getting less, it’s time to vote this government out.”

END