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Bridget Judd and Jessica Riga

Parliament passes federal government's energy relief package — as it happened

An energy relief package agreed to by national cabinet has passed parliament, which was recalled to deal with the legislation ahead of Christmas.

The plan will see coal and gas prices capped in an attempt to rein in power bills next year.

Look back on how parliament debated the bill below.

Key events

Live updates

In full: Labor's emergency energy relief bill put to vote

By Bridget Judd

Pinned

Stay up to date with the latest news and analysis

By Jessica Riga

Now that that's done and dusted, we'll wrap up our live coverage here.

Thank you for following along with us today!

You can catch up on Thursday's developments below, or download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest news.

Just joining us now? Check out political reporter Jake Evans main wrap below.

The Senate has been adjourned

By Jessica Riga

They'll return Monday, February 6, 2023.

Government imposes gas cap to rein in runaway energy costs

By Jessica Riga

Gas prices will be capped for a year in an effort to restrain runaway electricity price increases, after a last-minute meeting of parliament before the year's end.

Treasury forecasts the caps will wipe $230 from expected price increases to the average household electricity bill next year.

But the ABC estimates the average household will still face a $700 increase to their power bill next year, based on Treasury figures.

Treasury had warned that electricity prices were set to rise a painful 56 per cent over the coming two years, over and above the price hikes Australians have already endured, due mostly to the global shocks caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

You can continue reading this story from political reporter Jake Evans at the link below.

Federal government's energy market intervention passes parliament

By Jessica Riga

Key Event

The federal government's energy market intervention has passed parliament, with Labor promising it'll help curb skyrocketing power prices.

The government has secured the support of the Greens and crossbenchers David Pocock and the Jacqui Lambie Network to legislate a 12-month cap on gas prices and a $1.5 billion relief package for households and businesses.

The Opposition had been seeking to split the bill so it can support the relief package but not the market intervention, however were unsuccessful.

The bill passed 28-22 and was unamended.

The Senate is now dividing on the government's energy relief bill

By Jessica Riga

Even more admendments voted on

By Jessica Riga

An amendment from One Nation didn't pass the Senate.

The Senate is now dividing on an Opposition admendment.

The finale vote is getting closer.

Second reading passes the Senate

By Jessica Riga

The second reading has passed the Senate, 29 to 24.

More amendments voted on

By Jessica Riga

The Senators are getting their steps up as they vote on more second reading amendments.

The Senate is dividing on the second reading of the bill

By Jessica Riga

Senator Katy Gallagher wrapped up the debate a short time ago.

How will the energy relief bill actually work?

By Jessica Riga

Energy analyst James Ha explains the impact of the government's proposed energy market intervention.

How will the new energy relief bill work?

Gaslighting about coal and gas

By Jessica Riga

Greens Senator Dorinda Cox has picked up on Bridget McKenzie's use of the term "gaslighting".

"I'm glad Senator McKenzie mentioned 'gaslighting' because that's what the Australian public have been listening to for the past decade," she says.

"This gaslighting relationship around how great it is, how great it should be to drill and get taken out of the ground.

"So this bill will provide some relief but what it won't do is bring down power prices in a meaningful way because it doesn't address the core issue.

"The core issue is actually a lack of concrete evidence and a funded plan to transition away from dirty and expensive gas to clean, green, renewable energy."

Nationals Senator labels energy bill a 'cover up'

By Jessica Riga

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has labelled Labor's energy relief package a "cover up".

"It's never the lie that's the problem, it's the cover up, and this legislation is the cover up for the embarrassent of the 97 untruths Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke during the election campaign when he promised to reduced Australians power bills.

"This will not reduce Australians power bills. Not before Christmas, not next year, not the year after. It is just a fact."

She goes on to call the bill "institutional gaslighting."

Greens Senator supports bill but says Australia has 'a long way to go'

By Jessica Riga

Greens Senator Nick McKim says he supports Labor's energy relief package but that Australia still has a "long way to go" in terms of providing support to those who need it.

”Yes, we will be supporting this legislation, but we want to be very clear that even when it passes, there will be a long, long way to go to provide the cost of living relief that people who need it the most genuinely need," he says.

"We have a long long way to go before Australia's playing the global leadership role we have to play in addressing the breakdown of our climate and we have a long, long way to go before we have a parliament that is free from the stranglehold of the resources industry."

Senator Cash on the 'true test' of the bill

By Jessica Riga

Senator Michaelia Cash has echoed fellowed Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam's sentiment and said the true test will come when Australia's open their power bill.

"The test for the Albanese government is a very simple one in relation to this legislation," she says.

"Will Australians bills in the coming months and years go up? Or down?

"Because they have promised one thing and one thing alone. Energy bill relief. So that is the test. There is no other test."

One Nation labels bill a 'disgusting spectacle'

By Jessica Riga

One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts has called the bill a "disgusting spectacle".

“With no committee oversight, no public scrutiny, no industry scrutiny, a shocking bill ramped through courtesy of the ALP, Greens and ‘teal’ Senator Pocock, in a single day, in hours, in return for quid pro quos next year," he says.

'Most malicious piece of legislation'

By Jessica Riga

Nationals Senator Susan McDonald has slammed Labor's energy relief package, calling it "the most malicious piece of legislation."

"It will see gas shortages, it will increase electricity prices, and it will drive up unemployment," she says.

"Be very clear, this is an attack on the resources sector."

'Governments should be delivering for the people'

By Jessica Riga

Greens Senator Larissa Waters says she will support Labor's energy relief package but that the party will continue pushing for "broader cost of living relief".

"Not just in the climate context, but in all things, whether it be access to mental health care support, dental healthcare, housing, you name it," she says.

"Governments should be delivering for the people, not just the big companies like the fossil fuel industry that's tried to run this place for so long."

'The losers out of this are going to be Australians'

By Jessica Riga

Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam says Labor's energy relief package has been "shambolically put together" and "lacks transparency."

"I repeat, the test they need to pass is that the power prices, the next time you open them, they need to be lower," he said.

"I’m taking a bet that they won’t be lower, and the losers will be the Australian public."

Parliament in pictures

By Jessica Riga

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