Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Education and Training) (14:29): I thank Senator Xenophon for his question. As I've just outlined to the Senate, the national electricity guarantee is the next step in a comprehensive range of action that the Turnbull government has already been taking to drive down electricity price pressures across the different parts of what is a complex supply chain. Senator Xenophon well knows that across the electricity market you have retailers, distributors and wholesalers or generators, all contributing to the different price pressures. That's why our action has been so comprehensive. It is to engage with retailers, alongside the ACCC, and to make sure that consumers, households and businesses get the best possible energy deal, to ensure that people secure from their retailer something that will give them access to an electricity price that is more affordable than what they're currently paying. That's why we are investing in action to deliver better, more reliable energy sources in the future, such as Snowy Hydro. It is why this chamber, this week, passed our reforms to abolish the limited merits review in relation to network distribution. I'm disappointed that Senator Xenophon was virtually a sole voice in this chamber, seemingly opposing or questioning the abolition of the limited merits review. The Labor Party recognised the benefits of doing so. I welcome their support in doing so. The PRESIDENT: Point of order, Senator Xenophon. Senator Xenophon: The question was: 'What immediate measures will the government implement to deal with the impending job losses that the head of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned of in the meantime, before these measures take effect?' The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Xenophon. I think the minister was touching upon a measure that we can regard as being immediate, but I remind the minister of the question. Senator BIRMINGHAM: Thank you, and, Mr President, I had already addressed and outlined measures in relation to retail action and measures in relation to generation, and I was directly dealing with legislation this chamber has passed, action that helps to drive down prices by minimising what is an estimated $6.5 billion that energy networks have gamed the system by, driving up prices for households and businesses. And Senator Xenophon took the side of the energy networks in the debate, rather than the side of households and consumers. That was a remarkable situation to see. Now he comes in here and argues and complains on behalf of business. Well, we cared about business, which is why we have abolished the merits review, and at least the Labor Party supported us in doing so. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Xenophon, a supplementary question.