URGENT UPDATE: Canberra’s political landscape is heating up as Parliament’s final sitting week of December 2025 is set to be dominated by fierce battles over escalating electricity bills and leadership positions. With households grappling with soaring costs, the Opposition is ramping up pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his government to deliver on promises to reduce power bills by $275.
During a heated session of Question Time on Monday, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley targeted the government’s commitment to lower energy costs, questioning the effectiveness of Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, who is currently abroad attending the COP30 climate summit in Brazil. Ley demanded, “Why is it that this part-time minister, full-time president, isn’t using this unprecedented influence to lower energy bills for Australians?”
Albanese countered, insisting that the Coalition was undermining Australia’s image, stating that nations in the Pacific have welcomed Australia’s role in upcoming climate negotiations. “We are committed to both a strong economy and sustainability,” he emphasized, addressing the Coalition’s criticisms.
Jim Chalmers, the Treasurer, defended Bowen’s dual responsibilities, asserting that they do not conflict. He criticized the Coalition, stating, “If they really cared about lower electricity prices for Australians, they wouldn’t have come up with this economic insanity.” Chalmers pointed out that rising costs are largely due to “aging parts of the grid” and called out the Coalition for their failure to support renewable energy advancements.
Adding to the drama, one of the Coalition’s own prominent figures, Andrew Hastie, was absent from the session, recovering from shoulder surgery. His absence raises questions about Ley’s leadership as she faces increasing scrutiny amidst a historic low primary vote of 24 percent for the Coalition.
As Parliament prepares for its year-end break, tensions are mounting among the ranks of the Coalition. Ley faces challenges from within her party, with potential leadership contenders like Hastie gaining traction. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Richard Marles mocked the Coalition’s divisions, likening them to a “Brutus” scenario in the Roman Empire during his questioning of their unity.
In the backdrop of these political machinations, former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to return to Parliament on Thursday for the unveiling of his official portrait. Ley will likely be present, marking a poignant moment amid her party’s internal strife.
The government is also racing against the clock to finalize a major overhaul of environmental laws before the break, with Minister Murray Watt expressing confidence in reaching a deal. However, the Coalition’s resistance to conceding any wins before the holiday season complicates negotiations, leaving the Greens as potential allies.
As Parliament approaches its recess, the absence of a sitting calendar for next year is raising eyebrows. Prime Minister Albanese is not rushing to reconvene, hinting at a personal milestone as he plans to marry his partner Jodie Haydon over the summer.
With the stakes higher than ever, all eyes are on Parliament as the looming deadlines and intense rivalries promise to shape Australia’s political future. The week ahead will be crucial, not only for the energy crisis but also for the potential reshuffling of leadership within the Coalition. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
