Electricity planning underway for better future
Published Monday, 02 July, 2012 at 07:32 PM
Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark McArdle
While the Newman Government fights for Queenslanders over Origin Energy’s big price increases, it is also looking forward, planning how to deliver a more affordable, efficient and sustainable electricity industry.
Minister for Energy and Water Supply, Mark McArdle said the Government provided some insulation against the initial impact of Labor’s Carbon tax by freezing the standard residential tariff (Tariff 11) at 2011-12 levels.
“The Newman Government has, as promised, frozen the cost of the standard residential tariff (Tariff 11) at 2011-12 rates from 1 July 2012,” Mr McArdle said.
“This is what we said we’d do during the State Election. And, this is what the Newman Government has done within its first 100 days.”
Mr McArdle said the promised freeze on Tariff 11 would provide some short-term relief from Federal Labor’s ongoing cost-of-living pain, while the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) and the Independent Review Panel (IRP) made an assessment on how best to reform power delivery in Queensland.
“Corporate structures, staffing, everything that drives prices will come under the microscope of this independent review process as it sets about recommending how to make the system work better,” he said.
“Its scope will be broad in scrutinizing all cost pressures, including network costs, electricity supply and retail competition. We have to deliver the best results to Queenslanders.”
While most electricity bills this year could still see a double-digit increase, Mr McArdle said the only increase for any Queensland household electricity bills on Tariff 11 this year should be because of Federal Labor’s carbon tax.
The Newman Government’s Tariff 11 subsidy is not a handout for energy companies and their shareholders, but a measure to help struggling Queensland households pay their electricity bill this year,” he said.
“Most households are struggling under the former State Labor Government’s snowballing cost of living pressures, and future cost of living expenses like electricity, gas and water will soon be hit hard by Federal Labor’s new carbon tax.”
The IDC will deliver a final report to government in January 2013.
[ENDS] 2 July, 2012
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – 0417 458 195
Minister for Energy and Water Supply, Mark McArdle said the Government provided some insulation against the initial impact of Labor’s Carbon tax by freezing the standard residential tariff (Tariff 11) at 2011-12 levels.
“The Newman Government has, as promised, frozen the cost of the standard residential tariff (Tariff 11) at 2011-12 rates from 1 July 2012,” Mr McArdle said.
“This is what we said we’d do during the State Election. And, this is what the Newman Government has done within its first 100 days.”
Mr McArdle said the promised freeze on Tariff 11 would provide some short-term relief from Federal Labor’s ongoing cost-of-living pain, while the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) and the Independent Review Panel (IRP) made an assessment on how best to reform power delivery in Queensland.
“Corporate structures, staffing, everything that drives prices will come under the microscope of this independent review process as it sets about recommending how to make the system work better,” he said.
“Its scope will be broad in scrutinizing all cost pressures, including network costs, electricity supply and retail competition. We have to deliver the best results to Queenslanders.”
While most electricity bills this year could still see a double-digit increase, Mr McArdle said the only increase for any Queensland household electricity bills on Tariff 11 this year should be because of Federal Labor’s carbon tax.
The Newman Government’s Tariff 11 subsidy is not a handout for energy companies and their shareholders, but a measure to help struggling Queensland households pay their electricity bill this year,” he said.
“Most households are struggling under the former State Labor Government’s snowballing cost of living pressures, and future cost of living expenses like electricity, gas and water will soon be hit hard by Federal Labor’s new carbon tax.”
The IDC will deliver a final report to government in January 2013.
[ENDS] 2 July, 2012
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – 0417 458 195