Qlders to see power bill cuts from July 1

Queenslanders will see lower power bills and perhaps more later night dining options as a number of laws come into effect on July 1.

Energy bill

New data shows a majority of Victorians are being ripped off by their energy provider. (AAP)

Queenslanders can look forward to lower power bills as part of a raft of changes next financial year.

Not only will household power bills be about $7 cheaper and small businesses' bills be about $73 cheaper, due to a Queensland Competition Authority decision, but electricity and gas consumers will also get more consumer protections from July 1.

The state is due to bring in the National Energy Consumer Framework, which caps contract exit fees at $20 and obligates power companies to have hardship policies for customers who are struggling to manage their bills due to financial difficulty.

Energy Minister Mark Bailey says retailers must also inform customers of any price increases and they can't charge customers up-front for meter tests anymore.

"It's about having safeguards in place to ensure Queenslanders get the most out of their electricity service," he told AAP.

Under another change taking effect on July 1, cafe and restaurants will have to shut their doors at 1am.

But night owls could have a few more late night dining options as the laws also obligate cafes and restaurants to demonstrate they serve food, not just drinks, throughout their evening operations.

Hotels, motels, nursing homes, prisons and caravans will no longer be classified as homes in relation to building contracts from July 1.

Fossicking licenses will cost $47.90 next financial year, while there will be new fees for importing, selling and using explosives and fireworks.

There will be new rates for licenses for prospecting for coal, oil and gas as well.

But a uranium royalty rate of $220 per kilogram will no longer be operational on July 1 as the new Labor government has ended moves by the previous government to restart mining the heavy metal.


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Source: AAP


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