It’s time for the Palaszczuk Labor Government to pull its head out of the sand and deliver the rural electricity tariff reform our farmers are desperately calling for.
Queensland Liberal National Party Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett has called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to put an end to the crisis facing more than 10,000 customers on existing obsolete farming and irrigation tariffs (T62, 65 and 66), which are set to be switched off in 2020.
“The Liberal National Party is calling for a complete overhaul and restructure of Queensland’s tariff structure designed to support our agricultural businesses,” Mr Perrett said.
“We are hearing loud and clear the industry doesn’t just need a single new ‘Agriculture tariff’ to solve its concerns - it needs a suite of new electricity tariffs that appropriately reflect the diverse needs of modern agricultural production in this state.
“Through the Liberal National Party’s, Agriculture, Energy and Water Council, we continue to engage with key agricultural groups such as the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, CANEGROWERS, Cotton Australia, Growcom and AgForce to find industry-led solutions.
“The difference between this Labor Government and the Liberal National Party is that we are working with agricultural industry groups on solutions to mitigate the damage caused when the tariffs end.
“Unfortunately, Labor does not have a plan at all.
“Unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk, a Deb Frecklington Liberal National Party Government will deliver a suite of tariffs that reflect modern agricultural production in this state.
“We will end the divide between the southeast and the rest of regional Queensland by introducing competition into the retail electricity market.
“We will continue to fight for lower electricity prices and increased access to affordable water for Queensland agriculture.
“As a party, we wouldn’t tell the agriculture industry how to operate. We would work with our farmers and listen to stakeholders, which is exactly what Labor isn’t doing.”
