Qld govt wants higher power prices: oppn

Queensland's opposition says the government should have directed state power firms not to participate in a legal push to raise electricity prices.

Electricity cables set against a sunset in Sydney,

(AAP) Source: AAP

Queensland's government wants higher power prices because it wants to collect more dividends from state-owned electricity companies, the opposition says.

Ergon Energy, which operates the state's biggest power network, has applied to join a NSW legal challenge to Australian Energy Regulator's most recent price determination.

The ruling cut Queensland household power bills by $7, but networks have rallied against it because they want to squeeze more money out of their customers.

Opposition energy and water supply spokesman Andrew Powell says the Labor government tacitly allowed Ergon to join the push because its depending on using dividends to pay down state debt.

"This government, through their power companies, is secretly exploring ways to increase your electricity prices over the next five years," he said.

"They went to the election with a commitment to take as much as they possibly could from power companies, and this is further proof they're after every cent they get."

Mr Powell said Labor should have directed state-owned power firms not to participate in the legal action.

Energy Minister Mark Bailey told the Courier-Mail that any price adjustment would be well short of the 43 per cent price rise Queenslanders experienced under the LNP.


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Source: AAP


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