More than 200,000 Queensland families are at risk of losing access to the solar bonus scheme, after a motion was supported by Katter’s Australia Party, One Nation and North Queensland First.
LNP Shadow Minister for Energy Michael Hart said families would suffer a major drop in their feed-in tariff from 44 cents to 6 cents.
“These Queensland families have spent thousands of dollars of their own money to install solar panels on their roof based on a contact with the government, but now the Katter Australian Party wants to rip up that deal,” Mr Hart said.
“The LNP is not in the business of ripping up contracts that Queensland families and pensioners rely on.
“Households would lose hundreds of dollars each year and that’s the last thing Queenslanders need right now.
“There are more than 600,000 Queenslanders that have installed solar panels on their homes with the help of government programs, this motion would put all that at risk.
“Private companies have also invested billions of dollars in renewable energy projects based on the current policy settings including the Commonwealth Government’s renewable energy target.
“Changing the goal posts as the Katter’s Australia Party, One Nation and North Queensland First have suggested would increase sovereign risk putting at risk billions of dollars of investment in Queensland and thousands of jobs.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources Dale Last said only the LNP has a plan to reduce power prices, create new jobs and invest in Queensland.
“The motion moved by the Katter Australia Party* clearly shows how out of touch they are with every day Queenslanders and it’s disgraceful that they want to hurt the very people they were elected to represent,” Mr Last said.
“A Deb Frecklington LNP Government has a plan to introduce retail electricity competition into regional Queensland which will see households save around $300 every year.
“People in Brisbane enjoy the luxury of picking up the phone and shopping around energy retailers and the LNP is committed to making sure that can happen in the regions.
“The LNP’s energy policy also includes government investment in renewable energy where it makes economic sense to do so, private investment in coal fired power stations and Coalition’s feasibility study into a coal fire power station in Collinsville.
“The LNP will also supercharge the North West Mineral Province to create jobs for Queenslanders as part of the battery revolution.
“We have a plan for a sensible mix of energy that reduces prices and ensures energy security.”
*Mr KNUTH (Hill—KAP) (10.16 am): I give notice that I will move— 1. That this House acknowledges the vital role cheap coal-fired power plays in supporting the jobs of millions of Queenslanders now and for the next 50 years; and 2. That this House commits to providing Queenslanders with the cheapest electricity possible by ceasing costly renewable power mandates, subsidies and investment programs available to inefficient wind and solar generation to ensure coal and renewables compete on a level playing field.
