February 8, 2016
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington says South Burnett families could be slugged on their power bills thanks to the State Government.
She said the Labor Government had dismissed many recommendations from the Queensland Productivity Commission’s draft report into electricity prices, including changing solar feed-in tariffs and ways of improving competition in regional Queensland.
“Treasurer Pitt is already refusing to accept the Queensland Productivity Commission’s advice, meaning South Burnett families could end up paying more just so Labor can meet their poorly conceived and uncosted election commitments,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“He’s already scared the pants off pensioners by announcing he would consider the report’s recommendation to scrap the $321 Electricity Rebate Scheme for Queensland Seniors Card holders, only to drop the idea 24 hours later.
“What’s more, he has rejected the QPC’s assertion that legacy costs of the previous Labor Government’s Solar Bonus Scheme are hurting low-income households and adding $89 to the typical power bill this year.
“I certainly don’t think it’s fair that South Burnett families are facing higher power bills and I’ll be taking the fight up to the Labor Government to ensure these changes are put where they belong – in the bin.
“After a year in office it’s clear this government still has no plan to help families with power costs. South Burnett residents deserve better.”
It would be most unlikely that unrestrained, a multinational corporation would view or respond with compassion to subsidies now received by pensioners and Seniors Card holders after LNP privatization