Part 4/10:
The interview turns to local energy issues, particularly the controversy surrounding Australia's electricity prices. Canavan criticizes Energy Minister Chris Bowen for allegedly dodging a direct question in Parliament and for using misleading figures to downplay rising power costs.
Canavan notes that Bowen quoted wholesale power prices—costs paid before retail markup—rather than actual household bills, which paint a different picture. The Minister's comparison of daily or instantaneous prices to those at election time is misleading because it ignores the overall trend. Data from the Australian Energy Regulator shows wholesale prices have increased significantly across eastern Australia, with only New South Wales maintaining relatively stable—but high—costs.