Labor votes for $200 power bill increase

25 Oct 2017 9:26 AMMichael Hart

 

Labor votes for $200 power bill increase

Tuesday, 24 October 2017

 

• Queensland Parliament condemns the Palaszczuk Government’s reckless rush to renewables

• Labor refuse to abandon ideologically driven 50 per cent renewable energy target, despite Federal modelling which shows it would lead to higher power prices for Queensland families

• Analysis of modelling exposes Labor’s 50 per cent RET will push power bills up by $200 a year

   

The Queensland Parliament slapped down the Palaszczuk Government tonight for refusing to abandon its ideologically driven 50 per cent renewable energy target, despite warnings it would lead to higher power prices.

 

LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said despite Labor trying to block the move, the Parliament passed a motion calling for them to ditch their reckless renewable energy target, which Federal modelling shows will increase household power bills by $200 a year.

 

“Today’s damning analysis of energy policy prepared for the Climate Change Authority (CCA) proves Bill Shorten and Annastacia Palaszczuk’s crazy 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target (RET) will kill thousands of jobs in regional Queensland and send power bills soaring even higher,” Mr Nicholls said.

 

“Analysis of modelling prepared for the CCA exposing that a 50 per cent RET would add $200 a year to the average Aussie power bill was a total embarrassment for the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

 

“Annastacia Palaszczuk wants to give people back $50, but then add $200 extra onto their power bills. It’s a dumb deal, and the Queensland Parliament has rejected it wholeheartedly.

 

“The analysis of this modelling also clearly shows consumers will be $300 a year better off under the Coalition’s National Energy Guarantee, than they will be under Labor’s mad rush to renewables.

 

“Not to mention the forecasts that a 50 per cent RET will shut down most of Queensland’s power stations, killing thousands of jobs in regional Queensland – something regional Labor MP’s failed to defend tonight in Parliament.”

 

LNP Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said today’s revelations prove under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor Queensland families and businesses will continue to pay record high prices for electricity.

 

“This week’s power sham from Labor was nothing more than an election eve con job from a government desperate to cling to power,” Mr Hart said.

 

“The same money they say will fund their measly rebates has already been spent, and the real kicker is that under Labor’s plan your power bill will still go up.

“The choice at the next election could not be clearer – vote for the LNP’s real plan to bring power prices down or vote for Labor’s electricity con job where they take with one hand and give you back crumbs with the other.”

 

Media contact: Nicholas Adermann 0407 808 016