Both leaders have just faced questions on their energy policies.
“Mr Dutton, is it still the best use of taxpayer dollars to be halving the fuel excise?” Nine Radio’s Deb Knight asks the opposition leader, pointing to the drop in recent petrol and oil prices.
“It is because it goes across the economy,” Dutton says.
“So it’s not just for families who are doing it tough, pensioners are really doing it tough because they’ve got fixed incomes and rising costs under this government, electricity is up by 32 per cent, gas is up by 34 per cent and for those pensioners and self-funded retirees, for small businesses as well, they benefit.
“Whether petrol is at $2 a litre or $1.05 a litre, it will always be $0.25 cheaper under us.”
Albanese was asked why his policy to slash power bills wasn’t means-tested.
“Because of the way the rebate works, you have two options. One is to apply it to everyone, which is what we’re doing,” he said.
“The second is to apply it just to concession card holders, we understand that many working people deserve that support as well.
“Peter’s relief that he spoke about largely disappears in a year’s time, and just as Mr Morrison did.”
