Today’s Australian Energy Regulator (AER) decision should signal the end of massive power hikes in Queensland and it’s now up to Labor to outline its plan to reduce costs further, Shadow Energy Minister Andrew Powell says.
Mr Powell said the national regulator will today release its preliminary determination for Queensland network businesses Ergon and Energex.
“The AER outlines the amount of revenue these businesses are allowed to earn over a five-year regulatory period,” Mr Powell said.
“This is hugely important for Queensland families, because these network costs make up more than half of every household’s power bill.”
Mr Powell said escalating network costs had been the main driver behind the price increases seen in recent years.
“There are other factors, such as the ill-conceived Solar Bonus Scheme which will add more than $3 billion to household electricity bills, but the over-investment in the network seen under the Beattie-Bligh Governments has been the main driver,” he said.
“When the LNP was in Government we moved to strip these costs back and make these businesses run as efficiently as possible, recognising the benefits for consumers.
“We removed $7 billion in expenditure out of the electricity businesses and this has helped put downward pressure on network costs over the 2015-2020 regulatory period.”
Mr Powell said the Palaszczuk Government could argue the case for even lower prices for Queensland families, before the final AER determination was handed down.
“Unfortunately, I don’t hold much hope of that happening,” he said.
“The Labor Government is completely relying on the profitability of these businesses to live up to its promise to pay down debt.
“Labor’s debt reduction plan is to gouge these businesses for profits, and this could hurt Queensland families.
“If you look back, former Labor Treasurer Andrew Fraser actually wrote a letter arguing the case for higher returns for these businesses in 2009.
“I’m also concerned because every move the Labor Government has made since its election has the potential to drive up costs for Queenslanders.
“Their plan to merge the electricity generators has been criticised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as having the potential to ‘push up electricity prices’.
“They also put a stop to the deregulation of electricity pricing in south-east Queensland at the last minute, despite the huge benefits this has provided families in other states.
“So far, Labor seems more interested in inhibiting competition rather than promoting it.
“Today’s AER preliminary determination provides them with a chance to stand up for Queenslanders, who are crying out for cost of living relief.”
Queensland families have been denied cheaper electricity prices under a Labor Government that doesn’t know what it’s doing.
Deputy Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said today’s announcement to defer power price deregulation for 12 months by Treasurer Curtis Pitt was the strongest indication yet that the Palaszczuk Government was just making it up on the run.
“With just weeks until this plan was due to be rolled out the Labor Government has pulled the pin,” Mr Langbroek said.
“By abandoning power price deregulation, Labor has abandoned the Queenslanders that are crying out for cost of living relief.”
Mr Langbroek said under the LNP Government’s plan, households would have been in a better bargaining position to shop around for cheaper prices, potentially saving them hundreds of dollars.
“Now that Labor has deferred our landmark policy because of yet another review, energy retailers will not expand into the market,” he said.
“This is bad news for competition, bad news for business and bad news for jobs.
“The decision to defer the LNP Government’s plan to deregulate retail electricity prices, is nothing more than an excuse to avoid any decision making.
“Queensland is the only state not to move to de-regulated pricing.
“If the Palaszczuk Government continues to stall on making decisions they will stall Queensland’s economy, pure and simple.”
Mr Langbroek said every time Labor fiddled with the power industry, electricity costs skyrocketed.
“We saw it under Beattie and Bligh and now Annastacia Palaszczuk has taken out the trifecta - but sadly there are no winners in this scenario,” he said.
FAST FACTS
The LNP signed up to the National Electricity Customer Framework (NECF) to:
Following the amazing response to this year’s amazing Anzac Day celebrations, Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg has committed to continuing the Premier’s Anzac Prize initiative introduced by the LNP Government.
Mr Springborg said that under an LNP Government, Queensland school students would continue to have the opportunity to travel to Gallipoli and the Western front to honour the Anzac spirit.
“The events on and leading up to the Centenary of Anzac celebrations at the weekend were truly moving and I was particularly proud to see the huge amount of community enthusiasm and support,” he said.
“It is so important that we continue to keep the Anzac spirit alive and the only way to do that is to ensure our young people are encouraged to learn about the historic events shaped our nation.”
Shadow Education Minister Tim Mander said the LNP had initiated the Premier’s Anzac Prize as an election commitment in 2012.
“Originally we had planned to send five students to Gallipoli and the Western Front in 2013 and 2014 and then to send forty students in 2015 to mark the Centenary,” he said.
“But we were fortunate enough to obtain extra places in the ballot for representation at Gallipoli, so we increased the number of students to seventy.
“This means that a total of eighty students from schools across the state were given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Anzac history and its ongoing legacy.
“The LNP wants even more students to get this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Mr Mander said the Premier’s Anzac Prize competition required students to produce an original, two to five minute multimedia presentation exploring how the Anzac tradition has shaped Australia, why it’s still important and how future generations can keep the tradition alive.
“For the next three years leading up to the centenary of the end of the First World War, students will be asked to submit a presentation,” Mr Mander said.
“These presentations will be judged by a panel of former and current members of the Australian Defence Force and eighty students will travel to WWI commemoration services between 2016 and 2018.”
The Queensland Opposition is calling on the Palaszczuk Government to show its support for drought-ravaged Outback Queensland by launching a dedicated tourism campaign.
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Jann Stuckey MP said farmers and graziers have been doing it tough for several years now which is also having an impact on the small businesses in these towns.
“Last week, Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg visited the Longreach Shire to provide support to drought-stricken communities and received feedback from businesses that they were ready with open arms to have visitors come and enjoy the outback experience,” Ms Stuckey said.
“While funds to get shovel-ready projects is also critical to drive the local economy and generate jobs for these areas doing it tough, more can be done to boost tourism opportunities.
“The Premier must recognise the critical lifeline that tourism brings to so many of our towns and we are calling on her to invest funds for a tourism campaign to promote the Outback and the unlimited experiences these destinations offer.”
Ms Stuckey said Tourism and Transport Forum figures indicate the tourism industry employees around 7,000 people in the Outback with some 4,000 tourism-related businesses.
“During Autumn, Winter and Spring places like Longreach, Winton, Bedourie, Birdsville and Quilpie have wonderful and unique tourism opportunities that should be promoted,” she said.
“Tourists discover not only the natural beauty of an unknown landscape but the wonderful welcoming nature of people who know how to create a memorable experience.
“Visitors can immerse themselves in activities distinctive to the bush – from camp drafting, rodeos, country music festivals, eating mouth-watering home-cooked treats, sing along to bush ballads by a camp fire or simply marvel in the truly amazing landscape, and its equally amazing flora and fauna.”
Ms Stuckey said the drought is having a terrible impact on these communities and we are calling on the State Government to provide a swift response by investing in a dedicated Outback tourism campaign.
“Whilst Governments cannot affect weather patterns they can implement rapid action through programs that will entice interstate and intrastate visitors to ‘Go West’,” she said.
“Under the LNP Government significant weather events triggered immediate spontaneous tourism campaigns to promote Queensland destinations.
“Now is the time for this Government to act for the future of our state‘s regions.”
The CommSec State of the States Report released today highlights the need for the Labor Government to be upfront about its plans to grow the economy and create jobs.
Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek said Labor had failed to outline one new project aimed at driving economic growth or boosting employment since its election.
“Looking at the April quarter State of the States report, that’s exactly what’s needed,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Queensland’s strengths are still construction work and equipment investment, but the wind-down in major mining projects is undoubtedly having an impact.
“Queensland is also the second-worst performing state on unemployment according to CommSec and ABS figures released last week showed Queensland lost more jobs than any other state in March.
“It’s vital the government outlines its plans to help stimulate confidence, simply praying for jobs and growth isn’t enough.”
Mr Langbroek said Labor had inherited the second-fastest growing economy in the nation from the LNP.
“Queensland Treasury forecasts show that next year Queensland is expected to have the strongest economic growth of any state,” he said.
“When in Government the LNP had a plan to secure this growth. We moved to boost housing activity by reinstating the Principal Place of Concession, which Labor axed, saving up to $7,175 on the cost of the family home.
“We also introduced a $15,000 Great Start Grant for first homebuyers purchasing a newly-built or off the plan property.
“These measures have helped support strengthening housing activity across the state, with trend building approvals 15.6% higher over the year to February 2015.
“The Treasurer has been in the media today talking about the importance of the housing construction industry, yet all he’s done since coming to government is raise concerns over the future of the Great State Grant.
“This uncertainty does nothing to foster confidence, which is exactly what Queenslanders are crying out for.”
The State Opposition is calling on the Palaszczuk Government to reveal its plan for growing the economy and creating jobs.
Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek said that while Queensland had a strong growth outlook, he was concerned that Labor was crossing its fingers and hoping for growth rather than striving for it.
“Unemployment remains stubbornly high across the country, which is why it’s important for the Palaszczuk Government to step up and start delivering. Simply praying for jobs isn’t enough,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Under the LNP, Queensland was set to be the fastest-growing state in Australia – what is Labor’s plan to secure this growth?
“This government put a freeze on infrastructure, claiming that ‘Building Queensland’ was going to be set up as a matter of priority to help them figure out a plan for infrastructure but it hasn’t even been established yet.
“Queenslanders can’t keep waiting for Labor to get around to governing, livelihoods are at stake.”
Mr Langbroek said today’s jobs figures show that on a seasonally adjusted basis Queensland has the equal highest unemployment rate of any state.
“The figures also show that Queensland lost almost 8,000 jobs last month – the highest fall of any state,” he said.
“Even using the trend measure, Queensland’s unemployment rate is higher than the national average.
“Labor owes it to Queenslanders to outline their plan to create jobs and build the infrastructure this growing state needs.
“All we’ve heard so far is a deafening silence and it’s clear this is impacting confidence.
“We saw yesterday that consumer confidence has taken a hit and figures from earlier in the week indicated business confidence is down.
“The Premier has claimed her Government is all about “job, jobs, jobs” but her actions since the election show otherwise and that’s illustrated in today’s figures.”
In 100 days since the election was called, Labor has failed to deliver a single policy to support Queenslanders suffering with mental illness.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said while the Palaszczuk Government had been silent on the issue, the LNP will be making it a priority next Parliament sitting.
“The LNP Government completed a major review of the Mental Health Act and introduced a Bill into the Parliament in the last sitting week before the election was called,” Mr Springborg said.
“We intend to continue our commitment to mental health and will introduce a Private Members Bill that will help improve the lives of thousands of Queenslanders.
“To make the state’s mental health system better for all Queenslanders we hope the Premier and her team will provide bi-partisan support and back the Bill.”
Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle said it was no secret that mental health was forgotten about by former Labor Government’s while the LNP recognised more needed to be done and appointed the first Mental Health Commissioner in Queensland.
“Queenslanders suffered long enough under a Labor Government that made a complete mess of our health system,” Mr McArdle said.
“A comprehensive review of the Mental Health Act found that it was overly complex and inconsistent, difficult to understand and administer.
“Labor needs to start paying attention to the important issues such as mental health, and stop being distracted by internal Party matters.
“Queenslanders with a mental illness deserve a government that will take action to improve services and help strengthen their rights.”
Fast Facts:
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Deb Frecklington, has had an ‘up-close’ look at the live cattle export industry when she visited the Townsville Port today.
Mrs Frecklington inspected a live-cattle transport vessel at the Townsville Port prior to its departure, and says she came to Townsville to show her support for the sector.
“I have been extremely keen to get on board a live-trade vessel and demonstrate my support for this important market for Queensland graziers,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Having just spent time touring drought affected areas in the central west with Opposition Leader, Lawrence Springborg, it’s clear these communities need our support. Live cattle export provides an alternative market for our primary producers, giving them a chance to diversify and create resilience in their business.
“Results out of the Port of Townsville for live cattle export volumes so far this year provide a definite indication of the relevance of live export.
“Volumes of cattle being shipped by exporters have outstripped Darwin for the same period (Jan-Feb) and it looks like they’ll also beat last year’s financial year volumes as well.
“The live export sector works alongside other markets such as meatworks and feedlots. It is a professional, regulated industry and I’m here to show my support. Unlike the Queensland Minister for Agriculture, Mr Bill Byrne who is opposed to live cattle trade out of Port Alma.
“The new Labor Government must step-up and work harder for our cattle producers. While I understand graziers have experienced some rising farm gate prices, at a time of potential prosperity, it seems Mr Byrne can only think of ideas that will undermine competition.
“Unfortunately, for farmers in Australia farm gate prices are generally lower than prices received in third-world economies such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. When compared with the USA and Canada, our producers receive about half.
“Our producers need competition at the farm gate. Competition makes an industry stronger, not weaker.
“The LNP remains committed to enhancing the live cattle export trade and recognises that the industry’s associated jobs and development opportunities are vital to a balanced industry. We cannot afford Queensland to go backwards because of Labor's indecision, inexperience and lack of commitment to this vital industry.”
Photo 1: Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Deb Frecklington, and Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Northern Development, Andrew Cripps, on board the Ocean Drover live cattle vessel while it was being loaded at the Townsville Port.
Leader of the Opposition Lawrence Springborg has called on the Labor Government to commit state government assistance to the drought stricken farmers of regional Queensland.
On a tour of Longreach and surrounding areas, Lawrence Springborg said farmers need reassurance the LNP’s drought response due to end in June, will be extended.
“Shadow Minister for Agriculture Deb Frecklington, Member for Gregory Lachlan Millar and myself have spoken to a number of farmers and business owners these past couple of days, and whilst their dedication to their community has to be applauded, their underlying sense of optimism is being tested,” Mr Springborg said.
“Under the LNP we doubled the amount of drought response funding over two years to around $100 million, but that is due to finish in two months’ time.
“As we enter another year of drought, I call on the Labor Government to commit to ongoing funding and support beyond June.
“There needs to be greater sustainability and opportunity for these people to be self-sufficient.”
Mr Springborg welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a special economic stimulus package aimed at creating jobs and providing population stability in drought affected areas.
“Many of these farmers are drought stricken and debt stricken and they are worried sick about their outlook,” Mr Springborg said.
“These communities need support to get back on their feet. We need to focus not only on the property owners but also the impact drought has on businesses.
“We have listened to concerns over access and availability of water and kangaroo plagues but what is clear one of the best ways to appreciate their situation is to come and see it first-hand.
“We will be urging everyone we can to come and have a look for themselves because despite the drought, this is still a unique part of Australia. The hospitality is fantastic, towns are still functioning and the people are happy to see you.
“Nothing typifies Australia more than the outback; the history of our state is there for all to see and this is the perfect time of year to enjoy it.
Statement from Deb Frecklington, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Deb Frecklington, says she is extremely concerned about the announcement that Panama Disease Tropical Race 4 has been found at a second banana farm, this time in the Mareeba region.
“The identification of a second outbreak of Panama Disease Tropical Race 4 in a banana crop in Mareeba is extremely worrying for the entire banana industry,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I attended the Mareeba Grower’s Meeting when I toured the Mareeba and Tully region with Senator Barry O’Sullivan in early March immediately after the first outbreak, and I was heartened at the time by the banana industry’s stoicism in the face of extreme adversity.
“In my role as Shadow Minister for Agriculture, the Australian Banana Growers Council has my full support and I will continue to work with them and my colleagues to assist with resources needed for the response strategy.
“The State’s Chief Biosecurity Officer, Dr Jim Thompson, says the disease has been in the soil for some years and biosecurity remains a critical on-farm issue to prevent the disease spreading.
“As we work to uphold our reputation for producing some of the world’s best and cleanest produce we have to put the party politics aside. This is a significant issue for our State and deserves our immediate and full attention.
“Importantly though, I really want to stress this disease does not affect the banana itself and the best thing the community can do is to keep eating our Queensland bananas to show our support for all producers,” she said.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Deb Frecklington is urgently calling on the State Government to continue funding for the vital “Mates Who Open Gates” counselling support service for farmers.
Mrs Frecklington said the innovative program provides on-farm counselling support for farming families, but is at risk of folding due to a lack of State Government funding.
“I am very concerned that this very successful and unique program will stop if the Labor Government chooses not to re-fund the service,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“More than 70% of the State is still in the grip of a terrible drought. Our farmers need all the support they can get, yet it seems that Labor doesn’t even realise that some of our primary producers are in real trouble,” she said.
Deb said the Mates Who Open Gates was created and coordinated by Toowoomba group, Ag Assist, led by Mr Rod Saal.
“The ‘Mates Who Open Gates’ program trains volunteers who (at the invitation of the producer), visit on-farm and lend an ear. This may lead to a referral for further support, or may just open up a good opportunity to speak with someone about their situation,” she said.
“The LNP recognised the value of this program and funded the pilot project. More than 80 volunteers received training and more than double the expected number of farmers requested assistance through the program,” Deb said.
“I fully support Mr Saal’s efforts to extend the program for at least another two years, because I know there is a need,”
“The pilot project supported many farmers in my own Electorate of Nanango, throughout the Toowoomba and South Burnett Regional Council areas. I know local volunteers were crucial in supporting local farming families and I would like to see this program continue and grow so even more families can benefit,” she said.
“I’m calling on the State Labor Government to see how important this program is in helping to prevent suicide in our regional areas – they must consider re-funding the ‘Mates Who Open Gates’ program.
The State Opposition has called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to stop running from scrutiny and start running the state.
Deputy Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said that every day Annastacia Palaszczuk spent worrying about her own job was another day that jobs weren’t being generated for thousands of Queenslanders.
“All we’ve seen from the Labor Government so far is instability, indecision and internal chaos,” Mr Langbroek said.
“The Premier is more focussed on her own job than on creating jobs for Queenslanders.
“If Annastacia Palaszczuk knew that she couldn’t provide a stable government, then she should have levelled with Queenslanders and crossbench MPs before assuming the role of Premier.
“It’s now time for this Government to level with Queenslanders.”
Mr Langbroek said the latest revelations that senior members of the Labor Party were pushing for a return to the polls raised questions about who was really running the government.
“It certainly appears that union bosses and faceless members of the Labor Party are running the show – not Annastacia Palaszczuk. This is exactly what Queenslanders feared,” he said.
“Queenslanders deserve to know who is really pulling the strings.”
Mr Langbroek said the LNP had lessons to learn from January’s election result.
“We have to learn our lessons but Labor has to learn that you need to be prepared when you are coming into government,” he said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk was in too much of a hurry to visit the Governor and move into the Executive Building.
“Now we are in the situation where an inexperienced government is blaming voters for the fact that it wasn’t prepared to run the state.
“Queenslanders deserve stability, competence and experience. They deserve more than this Labor Government can offer.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is pleading with all Queenslanders to allow plenty of time to get to their destination so that they avoid the temptation to rush.
The 2015 Easter Road Safety campaign will begin at midnight on April 2 and run until the end of the Easter school holidays.
“Over Easter last year, three people were killed on Queensland roads. There were also 150 serious crashes that left drivers and passengers injured,” Mr Frecklington said.
“Last year 223 people were killed on our roads – the lowest road toll since records began. So far this year, five fewer people have died on our roads compared to the same period last year.
“But one death on our roads is one death too many. Each one has a devastating impact on families, friends, loved ones and individual communities right across Queensland.
This year’s campaign will focus heavily on the fatal five – speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue, driver inattention and drivers not wearing a seatbelt.
“If we all put a bit more thought into our driving habits, lives can be saved,” Deb said.
“Please take it easy on the roads. We want to make sure you and your family are safe and sound – wherever you may be – over Easter.”
