Media Release
Shadow
Treasurer Curtis Pitt says the Newman Government’s broken promise to
cut power bills has seen it turn out the lights on elderly consumers in
regional Queensland.
“Figures
from the Queensland Competition Authority show that in the September
quarter of 2013 there were 856 pensioner households in regional centres
disconnected by Ergon following the LNP’s massive 22.6% power
price rise effective from 1 July last year,” Mr Pitt said.
“Ergon
covers regional Queensland so these 856 households will be in the very
rural and regional communities that the LNP said it would look after."
“This
was a 62% increase in disconnections for the elderly compared with the
June quarter 2013 when there were 530 pensioner and concession card
holder disconnections due to non-payment."
“This
is proof in black and white from the Newman Government’s own QCA that
the LNP’s failure to keep its promise on reducing power prices is
impacting those who are already struggling with the cost of living
because
they are on a fixed income."
“These 856 pensioner households had their power cut off because they could not afford the LNP’s massive bills."
“Who
knows how many more will be affected when the 13.6% second round of the
Newman Government’s power price rises hits in July this year."
“These
same householders were told by the LNP at the last election that it had
a plan to cut power bills, water bills, and car rego."
“Yet in each case the Premier has failed to keep his promise made to householders through his
Contract With Queensland."
“Even
before the LNP was elected to office the now Treasurer Tim Nicholls was
saying he had a plan to cut power bills. So far we have seen no
evidence of any plan and I doubt if one ever existed."
“Just like their promises on water bills and car rego, the LNP misled voters into thinking it had all the answers."
“It shows nobody, especially the elderly living in the dark, should ever trust the LNP again,” Mr Pitt said.
QCA report covering Sept qtr 2013 (see page 4):
QCA report covering June qtr 2013 (see page 4):
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