A new report from the Queensland Audit Office has again highlighted that Queensland Labor is using electricity as a secret tax.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the audit of state-owned energy businesses showed record wholesale power prices were bankrolling higher dividends for the money-hungry Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Labor has recklessly driven power prices to record highs, hurting Queensland households,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Market prices in Queensland reached record levels, as the Palaszczuk Labor Government refused to act on the allegations state-owned generators were gaming the system to the detriment of businesses and families.
“Labor is addicted to the revenue these businesses provide.
“Profits across the sector increased by almost $600 million last year. This meant an 11 per cent increase in dividends to the government.
“That increase in dividends came straight out of the pockets of Queensland households and businesses.”
Ms Frecklington said Labor’s mishandling of the electricity industry would cause future price hikes.
“Remember, Labor ripped $5 billion out of these businesses and today’s audit report again highlights how this will impact them moving forward,” she said.
“The Palaszczuk Government has increased the dividend take at these businesses to 100 per cent, leaving them cash deprived.
“Queensland also has the most concentrated electricity generation market in Australia, but Labor is refusing to introduce competition as a way of driving down costs because they’re addicted to the dividends from these businesses.
“You can’t tax your way to growth. Sadly Labor continues to use electricity as a secret tax, on top of all the other massive tax hikes they’ve either announced or refused to rule out.”
