Householders and businesses can expect another slug to their electricity bills thanks to the Gillard Government’s Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT), Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources Ian Macfarlane said.
“Household and business budgets are already stretched because of the policies of the Gillard Government, which are continuing to put upward pressure on electricity prices.
“The slug on coal production and coal-fired electricity as a result of the MRRT will be another blow for Australians who are already facing a spike of three to four per cent in energy prices because of a blow-out in the management of the Gillard Government’s renewable energy target.
“This is despite assurances from the Government that the increase would be gradually felt over ten years – not one.
“Planning for Australia’s energy future has been disastrously mismanaged by this Government, and it is households and businesses who are paying the price.
“And the worst is yet to come as the Gillard Government charges ahead with its plan for a new slug on electricity prices through its carbon tax, which will add another 25 per cent to bills.
“This is a Government that has comprehensively bungled a series of energy polices, ranging from its resources tax to energy efficiency programs.
“Yet it wants to charge ahead and pile further pressure on power prices.
“The Gillard Government’s entire policy framework is driving up power prices for households and businesses in Australia, yet the Government is being coy with the details.
“The Prime Minister must come clean about the impact her Government’s plans will have on the bottom line for energy bills and release the full details about how much more Australians will pay for the Gillard Government’s energy policies.”