A plan to supercharge Queensland’s manufacturing industry by delivering cheaper electricity has been unveiled by the LNP in a move that will secure the jobs of 163,000 Queenslanders.
On a tour of Watkins Steel in Banyo today, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said more than 16,000 Queensland manufacturing businesses would save around 20 per cent on their electricity costs under the LNP’s new scheme.
*Audio of Deb Frecklington’s media conference attached*
The LNP’s plan for cheaper electricity and tax certainty will secure existing jobs and create 20,000 manufacturing jobs over the next four years.
A $493 million Community Service Obligation will be provided to government-owned corporation Energy Queensland. It will remove the need for Ergon and Energex to charge manufacturing businesses a rate of return on electricity provided through the distribution networks.
“Manufacturing is front and centre of the LNP’s bold economic plan to create new jobs and lead Queensland out of recession,” Ms Frecklington said.
“This investment will secure the jobs of Queensland’s 163,000 manufacturing workers and create new jobs in the future.
“Cheaper electricity will make Queensland Australia’s manufacturing powerhouse and secure thousands of additional jobs by bringing more investment into our state.
“The LNP’s plan for cheaper electricity is on top of our no-new-taxes guarantee and will implement our vision to make Queensland the low-cost state for manufacturing to secure jobs.
“Tens of thousands of dollars that would have been consumed on energy bills will instead be invested by businesses on creating jobs and investing in growth, stimulating Queensland’s economy.
“Our plan to supercharge this industry will also means we can manufacture more of our own products right here in Queensland, making us more self-sufficient.
“With nearly 200,000 Queenslanders out of work and an unemployment rate worse than Victoria, the LNP will be bold with our economic plan to secure and create jobs.
“Only the LNP has a plan to build a stronger economy and get Queensland working again by creating a decade of secure jobs.”
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said the two biggest barriers for Queensland manufacturing were high electricity costs and increased taxes.
“The LNP will unleash the manufacturing industry and secure its future by guaranteeing no new taxes and delivering significantly cheaper ‘at cost’ electricity,” Mr Mander said.
“Too many of our manufacturing jobs have gone interstate or overseas because of Labor’s taxes, red-tape and anti-jobs policies.
“More than 19,000 Queensland manufacturing jobs have been lost under the Palaszczuk Labor Government in the past two years alone.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has also failed to rule out slugging businesses with more taxes if she’s re-elected.
“Labor’s failed policies have cost jobs and made us more reliant on imported goods from overseas and interstate.
“Our plan will back manufacturers to supply Queensland with our own products, reducing our reliance on good being imported from overseas and interstate.”
LNP candidate for Nudgee Ryan Shaw said the investment in cheaper electricity was about investing for growth and securing local jobs.
“Local businesses need a government that backs them,” Mr Shaw said.
“We have some great businesses here in Nudgee run by local mums and dads that want secure jobs for their families
“The LNP will give local businesses relief from taxes and electricity so they can grow.
“It’s all about making Queensland an economic powerhouse and the best place to get a job, get ahead and raise a family.”
LNP plan to deliver cheaper electricity for manufacturing businesses
A $493 million community service obligation (CSO) will be provided to the Government Owned Corporation Energy Queensland, which owns Queensland’s ‘poles and wires’ businesses Energex and Ergon Energy Network. The CSO will remove the need to charge manufacturing businesses a rate of return on electricity provided through the distribution networks. It will reduce both fixed connection costs and usage tariffs.
More than 16,000 Queensland manufacturing businesses will receive at cost electricity – representing around 99% of all Queensland manufacturing businesses.
The CSO payment will also secure the jobs of Energy Queensland’s 7,300 employees.
