Malcolm Turnbull insists power prices did come down after the coalition abolished Labor's carbon tax, but he's now in a new fight to drive down bills.
The prime minister was played a 2013 clip of his predecessor Tony Abbott pledging households would be $550 better off a year without the tax.
"Prices actually did come down with the repeal of the carbon tax," Mr Turnbull agreed on WSFM radio on Thursday.
"What's happened since then is there have been other developments in the energy sector that have seen prices go back up again."
The prime minister cited the rocketing price of gas and pointed the finger at Labor for allowing east coast gas to be exported without protecting supplies for the domestic market.
"I've had to step in and take very strong steps to restrict exports," he said.
Mr Turnbull on Wednesday secured an assurance from power companies that they will write to twice as many households as previously pledged in a bid to help customers save money on their power bills.
Two million customers on so-called standing offers will be directed to the government's comparison website, Energy Made Easy, where they can discover better deals.
"I'm doing everything I can to ensure that energy is affordable and reliable," Mr Turnbull said.
