Queensland’s farmers, businesses and industry have come together fed up with the inertia and paralysis stopping our leaders from taking action.
The newly formed Queensland Industry Energy Alliance (QIEA), comprising of Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) and QFF industry member CANEGROWERS is offering a solution.
QFF President Stuart Armitage explained that Queensland’s electricity prices doubled between 2007-08 and 2013-14. This was driven by increases in network charges which increased six-fold (network costs account for 95 percent of the total electricity price increases during the period).
“QIEA understands that the Queensland Government has a dilemma. As the owner of the state’s electricity transmission and distribution networks, Powerlink, Ergon and Energex, it has a strong interest in both the operational efficiency and financial performance of the businesses.
“It is no secret that being in the electricity generation and distribution game is good business. Especially for the government that owns these businesses. Unfortunately, this is coming at the expense of Queensland’s productivity and international competitiveness.
“The Queensland Government can influence the setting of pricing within the revenue determinaitons overseen by the Australian Energy Regulator (network process) as well as through the Queensland Competition Authority (retail prices).
“The savings made at both a network and retail level must be passed back to Energy Queensland’s customers, not just pocketed by the State.
The Queensland Industry Energy Alliance is calling for the Queensland Government to take following direct action to reduce electricity prices by one third for households and all businesses:
- Write down the regulated asset base by 50%
- Remove hidden taxes
- Design and implement efficient tariffs
- Fund the solar bonus scheme from government revenue
- Discipline generator’s bidding practices.
It’s time for all political parties to put the Queensland economy first and rein in the excesses of the state’s electricity natural monopolies.
You’re invited to an information session:
WHERE: Brothers Sports Club, Takalvan St, Bundaberg
WHEN: Wednesday, 8 November 2017
TIME: 1:30 – 3:00pm