August 26, 2013
A consumer group is pushing for regional Queenslanders to be given the choice to buy their electricity from a retailer other than Ergon Energy.
The State Government said today it “welcomed” a petition which has been signed by 9000 people calling for regional Queenslanders to be given a choice of electricity retailers.
The campaign was run by One Big Switch in conjunction with the Courier-Mail, Sunday Mail and Channel 7.
According to its website, One Big Switch is a “for profit with purpose” business committed to helping Australian consumers pay less for their regular household bills.
Speaking in Gladstone, where a Community Cabinet meeting is being held, Acting Energy Minister Andrew Cripps said the petition supported the State Government’s electricity sector reforms.
“We are already investigating how to improve retail competition outside of South East Queensland as part of our response to the Interdepartmental Committee’s (IDC) report on electricity sector reform,” Mr Cripps said.
“So the Newman Government welcomes the support this campaign – as well as the 9000 people who signed this petition – provides to our efforts to reduce electricity prices for households and businesses.
“The petition requests the Queensland Government commit to a timeframe for delivering increased competition for electricity retailers in regional areas of Queensland, which are currently only serviced by Ergon Energy.
“The Newman Government through its program of electricity sector reforms acknowledges that cost-of-living pressures are a big concern for Queenslanders and is working extremely hard to reduce those demands.
“Accepting this petition shows the Government’s commitment to continue working with Queenslanders to find real solutions to the issue of electricity prices.”
Mr Cripps said the State Government was determined to look at all avenues available to bring retail competition into regional areas.
“Regional Queenslanders benefitted last year from a $620 million subsidy, which ensures they pay the same regulated electricity price as consumers in the south east corner, despite the significant cost of moving electricity across our vast state,” he said.
“While this guarantees Queenslanders living in regional areas pay no more than those in the south east corner, the Newman Government understands the desire for those consumers to have the freedom to choose their electricity retailer.”
