Under immense pressure over his energy plan, Malcolm Turnbull has promised to use a "big stick" against power companies that fail to deliver cheaper prices.
The prime minister has also pledged to make it easier for Australians to know when they are paying too much.
Mr Turnbull made the fresh commitments on Sunday, after copping sustained friendly fire from coalition colleagues over his signature National Energy Guarantee.
But Labor doubts whether the latest changes will survive the week ahead as the coalition "eats itself" over the issue.
Mr Turnbull has promised to impose a "price expectation" on energy retailers to bring down electricity bills.
Power companies that don't pass on savings will be put on notice by the competition watchdog and face the "toughest penalties" if they don't turn things around.
"What we're doing is focused on price," Mr Turnbull told reporters in central western NSW.
"We are working with our colleagues to ensure that every element, including the National Energy Guarantee, is going to work even better to deliver lower energy prices."
Critics are deeply unhappy with a 26 per cent carbon emission reduction target contained in the NEG, and are especially miffed by the prospect it could be cemented in legislation.
In an attempt to ease these concerns, Mr Turnbull is expected to propose the country's carbon reduction targets be set by regulation instead.
In pointed remarks posted to social media, he stressed it was Tony Abbott who signed Australia onto target in the first place.
"As Tony Abbott said in 2015, it is a strong and responsible target, environmentally and economically responsible," Mr Turnbull said.
Mr Abbott wasted no time in firing back, advising the prime minister to "take note" that things had changed.
"Emissions targets that made sense three years ago when all countries were supposed to be in Paris and we didn't need policy change and wouldn't face economic dislocation do not make sense now," he wrote.
The Opposition has unveiled its own plan to bring power costs down - which also includes a default price - allowing customers in each state to compare what they are paying to what they should be.
Labor energy spokesman Mark Butler said the policy was backed by the whole party, unlike the coalition.
"Malcolm Turnbull is heading a government that is eating itself on power," he told reporters on Sunday.
As the prime minister tries to pitch his policies he's also hoping to shore up his job, with some MPs so incensed by energy issues they're sounding out Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to stand against him.
Mr Dutton on Saturday tweeted Mr Turnbull had his support, but added "my position hasn't changed from my comments last Thursday" when he said he could resign if his position on government policy changed.
Cabinet minister Bridget McKenzie only learnt of the latest energy changes through Mr Turnbull's post to social media, and expected to be briefed at a ministerial dinner on Sunday night.
Australian Associated Press
