Small businesses are the beating heart of Australia's economy.
When small businesses are healthy, all Australians are better off. It means more jobs, more choice, better living standards and more vibrant and connected communities.
Australia's 3.4 million small, medium and family businesses employ over 7 million workers.
We understand power prices are hurting Australian small businesses, preventing them from employing more people and grasping new opportunities.
The Morrison McCormack Government is committed to lower power prices while keeping the lights on.
The Morrison McCormack Government is taking strong action to lower power prices to ensure our small, medium and family businesses can continue to grow strongly.
We are already seeing results. By mid-2019, over one million Australian families and small businesses will benefit from electricity prices falling by up to 15 per cent.
Our Fair Deal on Energy delivers affordable, reliable, 24/7 power to Australian families, businesses and communities:
- A price safety net to protect loyal customers and help families and small businesses make empowered and informed decisions about their energy plans.
- Big stick legislation to stop the big energy company rip-offs and banning sneaky late payment fees.
- Supporting reliable power by requiring energy companies to sign contracts guaranteeing enough energy to meet demand.
- Underwriting investment in new reliable power generation to improve competition, including Snowy 2.0, Battery of the Nation and a shortlist of reliable generation projects, which the ACCC forecasts will reduce wholesale power prices by more than 25 per cent.
A new Energy Efficient Communities Program will provide $50 million through more than 2,500 grants to eligible businesses and community organisations, helping them save energy and reduce their power bills by installing new equipment or reviewing and improving their energy management.
The Morrison McCormack Government has a clear plan to reduce power prices for families and businesses.
In contrast, by 2030, Labor's reckless emissions policies will reduce the average full time wage by $9,000 in real terms, reduce the number of jobs by 336,000 and increase wholesale electricity prices by 58 per cent.
Labor also wants to increase the cost of business SUVs and tradies' utes by $5,000 and restrict choice of vehicles.
