Lobby group criticises $50 electricity credit
A CAIRNS energy lobby group has slammed a $50 payment for consumers as “a drop in the bucket”.
The Queensland Electricity Users Network yesterday laughed off any suggestion that a $50 credit under the State Government’s Affordable Energy Plan would help households cope with energy costs in any meaningful way.
“I’d be embarrassed talking about $50,” QEUN co-ordinator Jennifer Brownie said.
“People need at least a 10 per cent drop. It is really perverse that they are getting a pat on the back for this.”
About 1.9 million Queenslanders will receive the $50 payment this year and next as a “dividend” from state-owned electricity generators.
Ms Brownie said the payments, which began yesterday, would be swallowed up without a trace by upcoming energy bills from summer.
“When they come through, people are going to be in trouble,” she said.
“There are a lot of pain out there, not just in vulnerable households.”
The $50 dividend will go to homeowners, tenants, customers who receive a power bill from their landlord or body corporate and customers in communities with card-operated meters.
Eligible Queensland pensioners and seniors also receive a $340 annual electricity rebate.
Ms Brownie said the State Government had the power to charge less for power.
“Deregulation is not key,” she said.
“If they charged no more than necessary to provide essential service, our power bills would go down dramatically.”
IT IS PERVERSE THEY ARE GETTING A PAT ON THE BACK FOR THIS
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