Bligh Govt looks after the battlers

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson told State Parliament in Cairns today that the Bligh Government gave more than $600 million in subsidies to help households and businesses in regional Queensland meet the cost of their electricity bills.

Minister Wilson said the subsidy was one of a number of steps the State Government had taken to help ease the financial pressure on households in regional Queensland.

“We know that some people are doing it tough. Our electricity subsidy is on average, around $1,000 per customer a year. Without the subsidy, households and businesses would be paying a lot more for their power,” Mr Wilson said.

“We also have a $3 million hardship scheme to help households in financial trouble and we’ve increased our rebate for pensioners and seniors to $165 a year,” he said.

“We’ve set up an independent Energy Ombudsman’s office right here in Cairns so that people have someone to turn to. It’s a free one-stop shop that looks after the rights of consumers.

“Since it began in July last year, more than 1600 people have turned to the Energy Ombudsman’s office for help. There are three officers in there with their sleeves rolled up, ready to help.

“We’ve also set up a toll free number for people in outlying areas who can’t make it into Cairns. We’re on the side of the consumer and we will continue to look after the interests of everyday Queenslanders no matter where they live,” Mr Wilson said.

Minister Wilson said while the Bligh Government was looking after the battlers, it was pleasing to see that old-fashioned goodness was alive and well in the far north.

“I want to commend Ergon Energy customers from Bamaga to Birdsville and everywhere in between for digging deep into their pockets to donate to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“These generous donations, through their electricity bills, have reached a milestone – a $3 million milestone.

“People up in the Cape and the Gulf and the more remote parts of the state who rely on the flying doctors will be the ultimate beneficiaries,” he said.

The Minister presented a giant $3 million cheque to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) base in Cairns today for the RFDS statewide.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819