Tasmanian businesses are struggling with soaring power costs under a Liberal Government that continues to provide no real relief.
For businessowners such as Badri Awal, who runs the local favourite Soph Slice Gourmet Pizza Bar in Moonah, power bills are one of many rising input costs making running a business tough.
Badri's power bills have risen by 12 per cent this year and he is extremely concerned about what further hikes from 1 July will mean for his business.
Tasmanian Labor has a policy of capping power price increases at 2.5 per cent each year for the next three years which would ensure that Tasmanian households and businesses save significant amounts of money.
Households would be better off under our policy by around $500 a year and businesses such as Badri's could save thousands of dollars.
Tasmanian Labor introduced legislation twice during the parliamentary year to cap power prices but each time the state Liberal Government voted against the legislation.
The State Liberal party also took the policy of removing Tasmania from the National Electricity Market to the 2018 election but have since abandoned that commitment, breaking a key election promise.
Tasmanians built the Hydro, and with our cheap, renewable energy, we should not be paying the same power prices as mainland states.
This energy crisis is not going away, and without meaningful action, it will likely get a lot worse.
Only Labor's plan for cheaper power will ease pressure on local businesses.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Energy
