BLIGH GOVERNMENT TO OFFER GAS REBATE FOR PENSIONERS
Published Tuesday, 16 October, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The State Government will provide a $55 a year rebate to pensioners who use reticulated natural gas in their homes, Premier Anna Bligh and Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson announced today.
Premier Bligh said State Cabinet today approved a $2.75 million rebate scheme to help pensioners hit by price increases for their reticulated natural gas.
She said it was expected more than 50,000 Queenslanders would benefit from the new scheme.
“The cost of supplying gas has risen right around the country. Queensland is not alone,” Ms Bligh said.
“But we want to make sure that pensioners aren’t unfairly disadvantaged and that is why they will receive a rebate of $55 a year to help them meet the new costs.
Legislation was passed by State Parliament late last year that paved the way for reticulated natural gas prices to become more closely linked to the cost of supply.
Historically, natural gas prices paid by customers had been set at an artificially low level.
Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said that since 2005, there had been a gradual increase in reticulated natural gas prices to align them better with the true cost of supply and to ease the price transition over time.
“From 1 July this year, gas prices have been deregulated. In the past, a regulatory cap on the gas price had limited investment,” Mr Wilson said.
“By moving to a more cost-reflective pricing structure, the industry can invest in new natural gas networks with greater confidence.
“This has led to initial increases in prices but we are confident that over time greater industry investment and competition will lead to more competitive prices and services.”
Mr Wilson said the independent regulator, the Queensland Competition Authority, set the price for the gas distribution network which retailers passed on to their customers.
“We want to ensure that pensioners have access to affordable reticulated natural gas,” Mr Wilson said.
Ms Bligh said gas was a key weapon in the battle against climate change.
“It is part of our Climate Smart 2050 Strategy and we believe investment in this energy source will deliver long term benefits to the economy and the environment,” Ms Bligh said.
“By moving to a more cost-reflective pricing structure, the industry can invest in new natural gas networks with greater confidence.
“This has led to initial increases in prices but over time we expect that greater industry investment and competition will lead to more competitive prices and services.
“In the meantime this new rebate scheme - which will be backdated to 1 July – will provide a helping hand to pensioners in need.”
16 October, 2007
Media contact: Premiers Office (07) 3224 4500
Premier Bligh said State Cabinet today approved a $2.75 million rebate scheme to help pensioners hit by price increases for their reticulated natural gas.
She said it was expected more than 50,000 Queenslanders would benefit from the new scheme.
“The cost of supplying gas has risen right around the country. Queensland is not alone,” Ms Bligh said.
“But we want to make sure that pensioners aren’t unfairly disadvantaged and that is why they will receive a rebate of $55 a year to help them meet the new costs.
Legislation was passed by State Parliament late last year that paved the way for reticulated natural gas prices to become more closely linked to the cost of supply.
Historically, natural gas prices paid by customers had been set at an artificially low level.
Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said that since 2005, there had been a gradual increase in reticulated natural gas prices to align them better with the true cost of supply and to ease the price transition over time.
“From 1 July this year, gas prices have been deregulated. In the past, a regulatory cap on the gas price had limited investment,” Mr Wilson said.
“By moving to a more cost-reflective pricing structure, the industry can invest in new natural gas networks with greater confidence.
“This has led to initial increases in prices but we are confident that over time greater industry investment and competition will lead to more competitive prices and services.”
Mr Wilson said the independent regulator, the Queensland Competition Authority, set the price for the gas distribution network which retailers passed on to their customers.
“We want to ensure that pensioners have access to affordable reticulated natural gas,” Mr Wilson said.
Ms Bligh said gas was a key weapon in the battle against climate change.
“It is part of our Climate Smart 2050 Strategy and we believe investment in this energy source will deliver long term benefits to the economy and the environment,” Ms Bligh said.
“By moving to a more cost-reflective pricing structure, the industry can invest in new natural gas networks with greater confidence.
“This has led to initial increases in prices but over time we expect that greater industry investment and competition will lead to more competitive prices and services.
“In the meantime this new rebate scheme - which will be backdated to 1 July – will provide a helping hand to pensioners in need.”
16 October, 2007
Media contact: Premiers Office (07) 3224 4500