Families will pay more on their power bills if state-owned electricity companies Ergon and Energex succeed in overturning a decision from the Australian Energy Regulator.
Shadow Minister for Energy and Water Supply Andrew Powell said it was disappointing the government had not intervened on behalf of Queenslanders to keep power prices down.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is relying on the profits from these businesses to pay for their election promises,” Mr Powell said.
“Their budget strategy sees 100 per cent of profits stripped out of these businesses and going back into government coffers.
“It might be in the Labor Government’s best interests to see revenues at these businesses go up, but it’s not in the best interests of Queenslanders.
“Unfortunately, when the Opposition tried to ask questions about this plan and the potential impact on families at estimates we were shut down by Labor’s committee chair.”
Mr Powell said the Australian Energy Regulator’s draft determination for the network businesses indicated a flattening in network prices over the next five years.
“Network charges makes up roughly half of the typical household bill,” Mr Powell said.
“If these government-run businesses are successful in their challenge it will mean Queenslanders end up paying more.
“I’m also concerned that other Labor Government policies could drive up power prices.
“Their plan to merge electricity generators has been criticised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, while Queenslanders are already missing out on savings because of their decision to delay retail deregulation.
“Minister Bailey has already presided over an unfair hike to car registration and now he wants Queensland families to pay more for their electricity.
“When is the Minister going to accept that he can’t keep treating consumers as cash cows and come up with a plan to tackle the cost of living?
“Queenslanders didn’t vote for this.”
