Labor supports higher electricity prices for Redcliffe

Labor’s candidate for Redcliffe has been urged to call her former federal colleagues and demand they vote with the Government to scrap the carbon tax and provide immediate cost of living relief.

In Queensland Parliament today Energy and Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle reminded residents that only one candidate standing at the Redcliffe by-election actually supported higher electricity prices.

“As Redcliffe’s representative in the Federal Parliament, Labor’s candidate Yvette D’Ath stood up on no fewer than 10 occasions to support Julia Gillard’s carbon tax,” Mr McArdle said.

“The Labor candidate was far from a passive observer. As Julia Gillard’s Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change she was responsible for Labor’s carbon tax and the RET scheme which now adds about $260 to an average Redcliffe household electricity bill.

During the debate on the legislation in October 2011 Labor’s candidate for Redcliffe told the Parliament – “I rise to speak in support of these clean energy bills, and I do so as a proud member of the Gillard Labor government…”

Mr McArdle said that before the 2010 Federal Election, Labor and Ms D’Ath said there would be no carbon tax under a Gillard Government.

“Labor’s candidate for Redcliffe is responsible for higher electricity prices and it’s time she confessed that she got it wrong,” he said.

Mr McArdle said the Queensland Competition Authority had determined the removal of Labor’s carbon tax would save Queenslanders between $116 and $240 on their power bills next financial year.

“Unlike Labor, the Newman Government is committed to putting downward pressure on electricity prices,” he said.

“This is why we have embarked on the biggest electricity reform agenda in a decade to make power bills more affordable now and in the future.”

[ENDS] 11 February 2014

Media Contact: Phil Hind 0437 334 183