Bligh Government rises to meet challenges of climate change

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson reaffirmed in State Parliament today, the urgent need for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Minister Wilson said there were tough challenges ahead and the Bligh Government was rising to meet them.

“We will play our part in a national response to tackle climate change through the Federal Government’s carbon pollution reduction scheme,” Mr Wilson said.

“But one option is undeniably clear: the long term future for Queensland and the world does not include business as usual. We cannot keep doing what we were doing. We owe it to future generations,” he said.

Minister Wilson said Commonwealth Treasury had predicted its carbon pollution reduction scheme would come at a price.

“It could add up to 17% or $7 a week to average household electricity and gas costs. It’s not welcome news. We know some Queenslanders are doing it tough and we won’t turn our back on them. We will continue to support households in need,” he said.

“We’ve had electricity increases in recent years and we’ve stepped in to help the battlers.

“We increased our electricity rebate for pensioners and seniors from $145 to $165 a year.

“We established a $3 million hardship scheme for people in financial hardship who had trouble paying their bills and we gave households and small businesses in regional Queensland more than $600 million in subsidies last year – that’s around $1,000 per household.

“We also set up an independent Energy Ombudsman so that electricity consumers have someone to turn to.

“Only a Labor Government would do what we have done, because we don’t turn our back on the battlers.

“We took on the big electricity billing companies because they wanted the current price to be even higher. They’re now challenging the independent market regulator’s decision in the courts.

“Queensland’s not alone. Electricity is a lot more costly in some of the other major states.

“The independent market regulator is expected to release a draft decision for next year’s price change next month. Their consultants have flagged a 10% increase.

“We will take up the fight for consumers as we’ve done in the past. And make no mistake, we will put a strong case to the federal government, arguing for the maximum compensation for Queensland energy consumers.

“Why? Because we’re a Labor Government and we don’t turn our back on the battlers,” Mr Wilson said.

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