July 17, 2014
Average Queensland power bills will now rise 5.1 per cent – instead of 13.6 per cent – following today’s Senate vote to repeal the carbon tax.
Queensland Energy Minister Mark McArdle said the vote would mean the average Queensland family would save about $170 a year off their electricity bill.
“The independent Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) has found that the rise in the domestic Tariff 11 for 2014-15 will now be just 5.1 per cent instead of 13.6 per cent,” he said.
“The average household on Tariff 11 and a load control tariff (hot water and/or pool pump tariff) could expect to save around $170 this financial year.
“There are also significant tariff reductions across the board for Queensland businesses and farmers.
“The industry must respond to the repeal of the carbon tax by passing on the savings to Queensland families.”’
Treasurer Tim Nicholls congratulated Prime Minister Tony Abbott for “delivering the outcome that Australians overwhelming voted for”.
“Labor’s carbon tax has not only been an unnecessary slug on the Queensland economy, it’s also failed its primary purpose – to have any real impact on lowering carbon emissions,” he said.
Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said the Senate vote would save households, on average, about $550 a year.
“This includes average savings of about $200 on electricity bills and about $70 on the gas bill. This will reduce cost of living pressures for all Australians.”
- Related article: Power Price Hikes Greeted With Alarm
