Reports indicate that the Government will release a ‘Reference Bill’ setting an electricity price benchmark by April 30 next year and a final price determination for July 1.

If this is the result of the Prime Minister’s commitment to ‘getting electricity prices down’ and the best new Energy Minister Angus Taylor can offer I call on the National Party to stand up and make it clear that this is absolutely not good enough.

April 30 will be during the next election campaign with the Government in caretaker mode. Who knows who the Government will be on July 1 next year? These commitments are meaningless.

If measurable improvements are not visible in household electricity bills before the election is called I suggest the Government will have hoodwinked the public and deserve the backlash that will follow.

Raised expectations must be realised.  This policy commitment must be delivered well before any election season – anything less will be a total betrayal.

The National Party needs to stand up and be counted on this critical issue.

Stephen Lusher

Port Macquarie