The Queensland Greens have called out the Crisafulli Government for hypocrisy over claims they’re offering energy bill relief for Queenslanders, as South-East Queensland customers face bill hikes thanks to retail privatisation.
Despite a decrease in the Default Market Offer, many Queenslanders have been told their power bills will rise, as private electricity retailers move to preserve profits at the lower end of the market. Only customers of Ergon Energy, a state government owned energy retailer that services regional areas, are guaranteed the savings that the Government is spruiking this week, as it no longer has any power to direct other retailers to pass on those savings.
Quotes attributable to Michael Berkman MP, Greens MP for Maiwar:
“Many Queenslanders would be scratching their heads at the LNP’s claims that energy bills are getting cheaper, having just seen their supply charges increase as much as 60%.
“The Crisafulli LNP Government have conveniently failed to mention the so-called “relief” they’re offering excludes more than two-thirds of households statewide.
“In the 20 years since Labor privatised electricity retail in South East Queensland, prices have skyrocketed because private retailers like AGL, Origin and Alinta are squeezing their customers to cover big CEO bonuses and advertising costs.
“Most Queenslanders can’t choose a publicly owned energy retailer like Ergon Energy, leaving them at the mercy of profiteering private companies.
“Renewables are driving down the cost of producing energy, but private energy companies are free to pocket the profit thanks to Labor’s failed privatisation policy.
“If the LNP wants to claim credit for savings a publicly owned energy retailer can provide, why not make this available to all Queenslanders?
“This year’s state budget illustrates exactly what the Greens have been saying all along – only a publicly owned energy retailer can guarantee lower prices on your energy bills."