Solar agreement will be honoured

I WOULD like to take the opportunity to respond to the comments made in ‘‘Tax will hurt those who do the right thing’’ by Rosemary Jilderts in the Weekend Post (8-6-13).

Let me clarify that I respect your decision to put solar on to your property.

There will be no new tax on solar users and the Government is honouring the 44¢ per kilowatt hour feed-in tariff rate for eligible customers until 2028.

We recognise that people invested in good faith, based on the Bligh Government’s policy, and that commitment will be honoured.

The Queensland Competition Authority has worked out that the rebate for people on the 44¢ per kilowatt hour rate will add $276 onto electricity bills in 2015-16 alone.

The Government has always said the 44¢ per kilowatt hour rate is legislated and will remain for eligible customers, and while we are considering options to make the Scheme more equitable, the idea of a ‘‘solar tax’’ was media speculation.

There will be no solar tax. As Energy Minister, I must explore all options to reduce the pressure of increasing electricity prices on behalf of all Queenslander households, businesses and farmers. Mark McArdle, Energy and Water Supply

Minister.