Power bills action seen as far too late
townsvillebulletin. com. au THE State Government’s attack on power bills has come too late, says the Townsville Chamber of Commerce.
Yesterday the Palaszczuk Government announced that every Queensland household – all 1.9 million of them – would get a $ 50 discount on their electricity bills for the next two years.
As an announcement on the state election approaches, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk detailed a $ 300 million affordable energy plan, which includes an ultimatum to retailers. Townsville Chamber of Commerce board member Michael Kopittke said the State Government should have acted on electricity costs sooner.
“Why has it taken the Government so long to react to one of the region’s most pressing issues?” he said.
“The chamber applauds the announcement but it must be asked why the Government has sat back and watched businesses close and jobs lost because of high electricity prices.
“This has been one of the single most important issues for at least 18 months.
“Clearly industries have been communicating with Cabinet ministers about the electricity price crisis and nothing has been done … until it’s election time.”
The package includes an “asset ownership dividend” of $ 50 a year which will be stamped on every household’s electricity bill for the next two years, starting January 2018.
It will be paid for using all the dividends from the state’s publicly owned energy companies over the next two years.
In addition, there will be $ 75 annual discounts for regional • $ 50 a year off every household bill for two years, starting from January 2018 • Pledge to keep increases at CPI for the next two years • Annual discounts for regional Ergon customers of $ 75 for households and $ 120 for small businesses that take up monthly billing options • Rebates of up to $ 300 to purchase energy efficient fridges, washing machines or airconditioners • Expansion of Energy Savvy program to help regional households save up to $ 200 • Additional $ 41 million in affordability measures.
THE PLAN
Ergon residential customers and $ 120 for small businesses if they take up monthly direct debit billing options.
For the next two years, the Government will also ensure the average Queensland household’s bills do not increase higher than average inflation, forecast to be about 2.25 per cent next year.
“I am the only premier across Australia that can take this action,” she said, referring to the fact only Queensland had retained control of its power stations, poles and wires.
Ms Palaszczuk also threw down the gauntlet to the state’s privately operated retail companies by threatening to launch a government- owned competitor if savings were not passed on to customers.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls described the Government’s plan as a “sham”.
“Labor is going to give struggling Queensland households a bit of cash and hope they don’t notice that they have been ripping them off,” Mr Nicholls said. “If Annastacia Palaszczuk were serious about lowering electricity prices she would adopt the LNP policies of freezing electricity bonuses, putting consumer reps on boards and ditching the 50 per cent headlong rush to renewables.”
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said high electricity prices were a major concern.
“The Government is listening to what people have been saying and that is great news for Townsville households and businesses,” he said.