Michael Hart
February 1, 2019
The LNP has vowed to bring competition into regional electricity markets to save consumers up to $356 per year if they win the next State election.
On Tuesday, LNP Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart called on the State Government to implement retail competition after a Queensland Competition Authority report revealed regional power prices were too high.
The report found Queenslanders were paying about $89 more per quarter than south-east Queensland households.
“This report highlights the benefits of competition in the south-east corner where customers are able to shop around for the most attractive offer,” Mr Hart said.
“South-east Queenslanders have up to 20 retailers to choose from but regional Queenslanders have just one.
“This means they are missing out on hundreds of dollars in annual savings.”
Mr Hart said the cheapest quarterly rate for a typical south-east household was $295 from Click Energy.
In comparison, regional Queensland customers on a standard contract for an equivalent bill were charged $384.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to stop treating regional Queenslanders as second-class citizens and adopt the LNP’s policy of introducing competition into the regional electricity market,” Mr Hart said.
“Based on the experience in the south-east, introducing choice for customers in regional Queensland will reduce electricity bills by hundreds of dollars a year.
“If elected, the LNP will introduce retail competition into the regional electricity market and end the divide between the south-east and the rest of Queensland.”
