Justine Keay (Braddon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This government claims its policy—and might I say lack of—is driving down power prices. I'm not sure what planet it's on, because power prices in Tasmania are going up and up under a state and federal Liberal government, hurting Tasmanian families and businesses. John Dabner, a tourism operator in my electorate of Braddon, has said publicly that his business power bill jumped by $50,000 in the past year to $150,000. A local Tassie farmer reports his business's power bill has increased by 30 per cent, that's $30,000, to what he expects next year to be $100,000 a year. If this trend continues, Tasmanian businesses have said they'll have no choice but to shut their doors, costing jobs and costing the local economy. Tasmanian energy consultant Mark White has stated, 'Job losses are inevitable in some sectors in my state due to skyrocketing power prices.'

The lack of a clear national energy policy is hurting Tasmanian businesses, threatening jobs and our economy. Tasmanian families and businesses are paying the price for the Liberal government's chaos, division and dysfunction. Yet, on this side, Labor has a clear and comprehensive energy policy that will grow jobs in Tasmania, boosting our economy and putting downward pressure on power prices. My electorate will greatly benefit, because we will create a renewable energy zone in the north-west of Tasmania building more wind farms, Minister—the things you hate.

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