Liberals pledge to take back solar costs in QLD
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman says he will cut the cost of the solar bonus scheme from electricity prices if he wins the upcoming state election.
The Queensland LNP Government is looking to retain its healthy hold on state parliament, where it currently has 78 of the 89 possible seats.
With primary support in opinion polls dipping below 40 per cent this earlier this year, the Government wants to score some points through reducing electricity costs by about $100 a year.
Mr Newman says with his new $3.4 billion Strong Choices Cost of Living Fund, Queenslanders no longer have to subsidise solar through their power bills.
The Strong Choices fund is part of a $37 billion “asset leasing” plan, which it is also taking to election.
“We're going to take the obligation of paying the 44 cents out of the electricity network businesses, bring it back to the Queensland Government, fund the obligation to pay for those people who have got the solar panels from the $3.4 billion fund, and take the burden off all electricity consumers,” Mr Newman said.
“If given a mandate to act on our Strong Choices lease plan, we will have the funds available to take 6 per cent off retail electricity prices in 2015/16.”
Mr Newman says the plan would save the average household $577 in the next five years, a further $165 during that time for households with tariff 33 for hot water systems. He said small businesses would save between $600 and $1,400 over five years, depending on their tariff.
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk called the LNP's promise “a blatant vote grab”.
“Queenslanders can see straight through it,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Before the last election Campbell Newman had a plan to lower electricity bills by $120 a year without asset sales.
“If you sell our assets, we'll lose $2 billion a year in revenue that can go to service delivery of hospitals and education.”