Today's $20,000 electricity hardship grant announcement by Guy Barnett is a mere drop in the ocean of what's needed to relieve electricity price pressure on Tasmanian businesses.
The Liberals' 2021 election policy said:
"We have successfully de-linked from mainland wholesale market volatility through legislated, capped regulated power prices and the Commercial and Industrial rebate scheme.
"In the event of future volatility, we retain the ability to re-introduce one or both of these schemes in order to protect Tasmanian households and business from future price hikes."
By breaking their promise they have effectively put Tasmanians last.
The fact of the matter is that power prices aren't expected to reduce any time soon, and one-off bail outs for business who've already been driven to the brink won't fix it.
What would fix it, is reintroducing the rebate scheme, capping power prices and effectively delinking from the National Electricity Market - which is exactly what Labor would do in Government.
Tasmanian Labor introduced legislation twice during the 2022 parliamentary year to cap power prices but each time the state Liberal Government voted against the legislation.
Tasmanians should be paying Tasmanian prices for Tasmanian power.
This policy is indicative of a government that is old and tired and out of ideas.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Energy & Emissions Reduction
