Government wants more consumer focus on power pricing

Energy Minister Mark McArdle has announced energy consumers in Queensland will have a greater voice in setting and guarding power prices in the state.

Mr McArdle said the Queensland Government had written to more than 25 consumer groups asking for their input on how to enhance participation in key aspects of policy and decision making relating to electricity.

“The vital role of the consumer had been overlooked by Labor, and the Newman Government is committed to strengthening consumer participation,” Mr McArdle said.

“Consumers are the largest group in the economy but when it comes to electricity and water they have been the least heard.”

Mr McArdle said consumers in other countries do have the right to be heard and electricity providers need to develop processes to allow them that opportunity here.

“Energy providers are increasingly proposing new initiatives with limited consumer involvement including technology to regulate air conditioner usage and time-based pricing policies,” he said.

“The electricity industry faces a dynamic future and key decisions will be made, that have major impacts on consumers.”

Mr McArdle said the business of government is the business of people and it is essential that Queensland consumers are a key focus in the future of energy and water supply in this state.

“Many of the significant changes confronting the electricity industry will only succeed through the active engagement of consumers,” he said.

Among the groups contacted include Financial Counselling Australia, Uniting Care Community, MS Queensland, Pensioners & Superannuants League QLD, QCOSS, Queensland Consumers Association, St Vincent de Paul, Tenants Union of Queensland and the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network.

Mr McArdle will raise the issue of increased consumer involvement at the State Government’s Energy Consumer Reference Group and Energy Retail Roundtable meeting on 23 October, 2012.

[ENDS] 10 October 2012

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