The Hon Angus Taylor MP Transcripts
STEVE AUSTIN: Now to the issue of cost of electricity. The Federal Energy Minister, Angus Taylor, is fresh out a meeting with power company chief executives in Sydney and he says he's given them an ultimatum: to bring down power prices on their own or be the subject of tighter laws around pricing. Angus Taylor is Australia's Energy Minister. Minister Taylor, thanks for coming on this afternoon.
ANGUS TAYLOR: Thanks for having me.
STEVE AUSTIN: What Queensland companies were in the room?
PATRICIA KARVELAS: The federal government is claiming a victory of sorts in its bid to get energy retailers to lower their prices by January next year. The Government has campaigned heavily on bringing down the cost of power, but its proposed default energy price doesn't kick in until 1 July. With a federal election due before then, the political cost of a long, hot summer with air conditioners running at full tilt looms large. The Energy Minister is Angus Taylor and he met with the industry retailers today. He joins us on RN Drive - Angus Taylor - welcome.
TICKY FULLERTON: Retail energy bosses will be forced to lower their power prices or face more aggressive federal legislation. Energy Minister Angus Taylor gave the ultimatum to energy bosses today with an agreement reached to standardise comparison rates for all customers. Mr Taylor also says the loyalty tax will be gone by 1 July next year, with retailers told to put something on the table by 1 January.
ROSS GREENWOOD: Today all of the bosses of the big energy companies were trotted to Canberra to basically go before Australia's Minister for Energy, Angus Taylor, who has told them that the prices for electricity - your electricity, whether you're in business on whether you're in a home - has to come down this year. Now, the way in which that's going to be done is going to be interesting - is it simply a case that they cut their prices? But there's other bits and pieces around energy as well today.
ANGUS TAYLOR: I've just come from an extremely constructive and productive discussion with many of the energy companies from across the sector. We've made clear to them now for many weeks, that we want to see an end to the confusion that customers suffer when they are trying to enter into a contract with an electricity company. We've said to the companies very clearly that we want to see an end to the loyalty tax that's paid by customers who trust their retailer and don't negotiate a new contract every year.
KIERAN GILBERT: Joining us on the program now the Energy Minister Angus Taylor. Minister, thanks so much for your time. I want to ask you about a roundtable you're going to be holding with the CEOs of the energy companies - we'll get to that in a moment - but let's start with the story that Laura just touched on, this agriculture visa, the Prime Minister to announce it today in Queensland. Why is it important, in your view?
KIERAN GILBERT: Joining us on the program now the Energy Minister Angus Taylor. Minister, thanks so much for your time. I want to ask you about a roundtable you're going to be holding with the CEOs of the energy companies - we'll get to that in a moment - but let's start with the story that Laura just touched on, this agriculture visa, the Prime Minister to announce it today in Queensland. Why is it important, in your view?
JOURNALIST: Minister, is this fair dinkum power?
REBECCA LEVINGSTON: Imagine going to school and knowing your classroom is off the grid - because that's the reality for students at Bracken Ridge State High School. This school on the north side of Brisbane is the first in Queensland to entirely rely on renewable energy to power their classroom. Angus Taylor is the Minister for Energy. He'll be launching the pilot classroom at the school this morning. Minister, good morning. How is Bracken Ridge State High School gone off the grid?
PETA CREDLIN: Welcome to the show Angus Taylor. Congratulations on your appointment as Energy Minister - I don't think there's any bigger job for the Morrison Government going into what could be an election within the next six months. How have you settled into the role?