That’s a wrap for Need to Know this Thursday, December 15.

Many thanks for reading along. Here are some of the biggest headlines today:

Labor’s energy bill and power prices

Labor’s energy bill passes both houses: After three and half hours of debate, Labor’s energy bill has passed the Senate. The upper house passed the bill 28 to 22. Earlier in the day, the lower house passed the bill 85-41.

PM ‘stunned’ Coalition opposed energy bill: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was surprised by the Coalition’s move to oppose the energy bill’s passage in Parliament today. He said other conservative governments around the world, pointing to the UK as an example, have had more stringent measures.

Opposition gave ‘metaphorical middle finger’ to public, Chalmers says: Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the opposition gave a “metaphorical middle finger” to households and businesses battling high power prices and rejected complaints it received draft legislation only last night.

Energy generators withheld supply, says regulator: Energy generators withheld supply and caused “poor market outcomes”, according to the Australian Energy Regulator chairwoman Clare Savage.

Electricity futures slashed 50pc in NSW, Qld: Electricity contracts have dropped by up 50 per cent in Queensland and NSW since the October budget, says the Australian Energy Regulator chairwoman Clare Savage.

What else happened today?

The big lie that propped up robo-debt: Perhaps the worst aspect of the whole affair has been the reluctance of anyone to take responsibility for the failed program, former Brisbane Centrelink compliance worker Colleen Turner told the robo-debt commission.

Workforce surges to record high, jobless rate steady: The number of people in the workforce hit to a record high as 64,000 people found jobs in November, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Qantas flags more flying but analyst says it won’t reduce fares: Qantas will begin to lift domestic capacity from the end of March, easing the supply side pressures that are helping push airfares to a 15-year high.