Deb Frecklington
July 10, 2017
Queensland farmers have welcomed an announcement by the LNP on Monday that it will set up an Agriculture Energy and Water Council if it wins the next State Election.
The Council would aim to improve collaboration between industry, government and government-owned corporations when considering energy-related issues that impact agriculture.
It would consist of representatives from the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), Canegrowers, AgForce, Energy Queensland and government MPs
QFF president Stuart Armitage welcomed the LNP’s announcement.
“QFF and industry members have been very vocal on the need for government to address spiraling electricity prices and have been providing considered options that could improve the situation,” he said.
“We have also been strongly advocating for the need to properly consider the synergy to water efficiency – the energy-water nexus. This forum has the potential to address both these issues.”
“It is a good initiative and we look forward to being involved, but the Council must deliver real outcomes in the form of lower electricity costs for all regional businesses. The worst outcome would be for this to become yet another talkfest that provides no relief for Queensland farmers.”
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the agriculture sector faced double-digit, year-on-year increases in electricity prices.
In 2020, thousands of farmers would be facing increases of 50 to 100 per cent.
She said farmers could not grow their businesses or plan for the future when weighed down by crippling power prices.
“This year alone electricity prices on farm and irrigation tariffs are increasing by up to 5.1 per cent. This is almost triple the rate of inflation,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It isn’t good enough and it’s why the Liberal National Party is establishing the Agriculture Energy and Water Council.”
She said the LNP set up the Council in late 2014 as many farmers faced the prospect of electricity prices doubling in 2020 when the obsolete tariffs ended.
“Labor axed the Council when it came to government but we will bring it back and make it bigger and better should we be elected,” she said.
- More information about the proposed Agriculture Energy and Water Council is on the LNP election website
