sussanleymp

A powerful morning in Bayside standing with local residents, frontline services and community leaders to say no to domestic and family violence.

The Bayside Council Community Walk was a chance to honour survivors, support those doing it tough and recognise the organisations, police, advocates and volunteers who work every day to keep people safe.

A big thank you to the frontline workers and case workers who do such important work to help victims and survivors of domestic violence.

sussanleymp

We were in Cairns today meeting two hardworking family businesses that rely on cold room storage to keep their produce fresh and their operations running.

And the truth hit hard. At Cairns Bulk Meats, power bills have almost doubled since May 2023. When your cold rooms run around the clock, you cannot absorb those kinds of increases. You feel every cent.

This is the cost of a government that sets targets it cannot meet at a price Australians cannot afford.

Australia has already reduced emissions at almost twice the speed of other advanced economies since 2005. Yet Labor now wants to double down again while families and local businesses are being crushed by rising bills.

Energy prices have climbed 40 percent since Labor came to office. The regulator is warning of even higher costs ahead. Households are hurting and cold room operators like these are doing everything they can just to stay above water.

There is a better way.

Australians deserve affordable energy and responsible emissions reduction, and our plan puts the cost of power first.

sussanleymp

We’re in Leongatha today meeting locals and hearing firsthand how rising power prices are affecting their daily lives.

Labor is setting targets they can’t meet at a cost that Australians can’t afford.

Because since 2005 Australia has reduced emissions at almost twice the rate of other developed countries. But to meet net zero by 2050 Labor would have to double that again, even as their policies push prices higher and hit households and businesses.

It means power prices have climbed 40 percent since they were elected. Businesses are hurting. Families are hurting.

And as a result of Labor setting unachievable targets, AEMO now warns that the costs to consumers will rise.

sussanleymp

Families like Paul and Luis at @gazzolafarms keep our communities fed with long hours, dedication and a commitment to quality.

But even for businesses doing everything right, Labor’s policies are sending energy bills through the roof. Their investment in solar should have delivered real savings, yet rising power costs have wiped them out and pushed expenses up toward 40 percent. It is the same pressure we are hearing from farmers, manufacturers and households right across the country.

Our plan puts affordable energy first and promises responsible emissions reduction that works with industry, not against it. We will back Australian producers so they can keep growing, keep employing and keep feeding the nation. Families deserve energy policy that brings bills down and supports the people who keep the country moving.