Thursday, 30th April 2020
A new report has found regional Queenslanders are
still getting a raw deal with their electricity bills, while the South East
continues to reap the benefits of retail competition.
The Queensland Competition Authority’s (QCA) latest report released today shows
residents in the South East are benefitting from shopping around with 27 retail
providers, while regional Queenslanders are chained to Ergon.
The data shows the average quarterly bill in regional
Queensland is $361, while one retailer in the South East charged $264, which in
nearly $100 less a quarter.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said it’s outrageous that regional Queenslanders
have to cough up an extra $400 every year.
“It’s clear that only the LNP has a plan for cheaper electricity for regional
Queensland,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Regional Queensland needs retail competition and only
the LNP will deliver it.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is refusing to implement findings from their own
Productivity Commission report into electricity pricing, but the LNP will.
“The LNP has a plan to provide retail competition in the regions, which would deliver savings to households north of Gympie and from Toowoomba
west to the border.
“Regional Queenslanders deserve to be able to shop
around and save and that’s what the LNP reforms will give them.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Energy Michael Hart said Labor is treating regional Queenslanders like second class citizens.
“It’s just plain wrong that Annastacia Palaszczuk allows Ergon to charge nearly
$400 more in regional Queensland because there is no competition,” Mr Hart
said.
“A Deb Frecklington LNP Government would provide a
community service obligation (CSO) to Ergon to reduce the cost of regional
distribution, allowing private retailers into the regional market.
“A vote for the LNP on October 31 is a vote for cheaper power bills in regional
Queensland.”
