Nationals Senator Ron Boswell [pictured] writes.
Queenslanders can expect even more draconian electricity price increases under the Federal Government’s proposed Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Queenslanders have had three increases in the maximum charge price for electricity since the industry was deregulated, but these increases, large as they are, will be insignificant compared to the electricity cost increases expected under the Rudd Government’s proposed ETS.
Treasury modelling predicts that, under a CPRS -5 scenario, the average wholesale electricity price will increase by 66% in Queensland between the years 2010 and 2015*.
This increase in the wholesale costs will translate to an average household electricity price increase of 21% in 2010 under the lowest target ETS (CPRS -5) and a 44% price increase in 2013 under the Garnaut -25 scenario**.
The modelling shows that the Rudd Government’s Emissions Trading Scheme will be a huge cost burden on Queensland Families.
Everybody knows that Australia only produces around 1.5 percent of world emissions and any reduction we make will not make a skerrick of difference to the world’s emissions.
The predicted hike in electricity prices resulting from the ETS will not only be bad for families, but for industry as well.
By bringing in the ETS and driving up energy costs before large emitting countries such as China, India and the United States do, we risk losing our high emitting industries off-shore to countries that have low environmental standards.
This latest increase in electricity costs may be the result of the Queensland State Government’s mismanagement of the industry and finances, but if you thought electricity prices were bad now just wait until the ETS.
END
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