A Deb Frecklington LNP Government will reduce electricity costs to support irrigators and supercharge regional economies.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said ending Labor’s high electricity prices would increase production and create more secure jobs for Queenslanders.
“Within the first 100 day of forming government the LNP will task the Productivity Commission to develop a new set of modern and affordable agricultural tariffs to reduce the skyrocketing cost of electricity,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The Commission will overhaul the current system and introduce a new demand-based tariff structure that rewards productivity and efficiency.
“This is all part of the LNP’s ambitious food and jobs security plan, which has a goal of increasing the value of agricultural production by 2035, from $18 billion to $30 billion and then doubling it to $60 billion by 2045.
“The centre piece of this bold plan is the delivery of water infrastructure which includes the drought-busting New Bradfield Scheme and more dam projects throughout the state.
“We have a plan to grow agriculture in Queensland, including a commitment to reduce the costs of critical inputs and end bad regulations that impact the profitability, productivity and ultimately jobs throughout the entire agricultural supply chain.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Tony Perrett said cheaper electricity for farmers is in addition to slashing nearly 20 per cent off the price of water for Queensland’s 5,000 Sunwater irrigation customers from 1 July 2021.
“By getting the basics right, an LNP Government will secure Queensland’s food and fibre first, backing local farmers and supporting local jobs,” Mr Perrett said.
“Labor’s plan for tariffs will result in even high price spikes and even more businesses pulling the plug.
“The LNP knows that modern agricultural businesses have a wide variety of needs and demands when it comes to electricity that cannot be solved with a blanket tariff.
“That is why we will deliver a complete overhaul to our farmers’ tariffs to make them cheaper.
“The Commission will work with industry to achieve an outcome that delivers upon the LNP’s vision to more than double agriculture by 2035.
“This is not about throwing out the progress already made by industry and farmers but building upon it with a new set of priorities based on increasing production, not gauging users.
“The LNP is the only party with a comprehensive plan for rural and regional Queensland to grow agricultural production and secure the thousands of jobs that comes with them.
“The LNP will build a stronger economy and get Queensland working again.”
The LNP has also committed to lowering electricity costs for Queensland manufacturers by around 20% through a $493 million community service obligation that will deliver millions in savings to businesses through the agricultural supply chain.
