Queenslanders will be gouged a staggering $1.4 billion in a secret Labor tax grab if Annastacia Palaszczuk signs off on the government-owned energy companies wanting to ramp up charges for households and businesses.
The Australian Energy Regulator has rejected submissions by Ergon and Energex on how much they intend to charge customers over the next regulatory period - 2020 to 2025*.
The state-owned energy companies are seeking to slug households by an extra $102 a year over and above what the national independent umpire has determined is acceptable.
Small businesses, already struggling under Labor’s 10-new or increased taxes, face coughing up an extra $131 a year in charges.
In order to stop Labor’s secret tax, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has called on Annastacia Palaszczuk to back consumers and not to appeal the decision by the Australian Energy Regulator.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to accept the independent umpire’s decision and not slug Queenslanders extra on their power bills,” Ms Frecklington said.
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“Labor have been caught out trying to gouge customers up to $1.4 billion more than they should have.
“If Annastacia Palaszczuk doesn’t accept the umpire’s decision, it will be a massive failure of leadership and every Queensland household will be paying an extra $102 a year for the next five years.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Energy Michael Hart said Labor needed to stop their secret tax on electricity bills.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to come clean and rule out this outrageous tax grab,” Mr Hart said.
“Households and small businesses can’t afford to pay more, if Labor challenge this decision it will be grossly out of touch.”
*https://www.aer.gov.au/news-release/aer-issues-draft-determination-on-energex-2020-25-revenue
*https://www.aer.gov.au/news-release/aer-issues-draft-determination-on-ergon-2020-25-revenue