The Bligh Government must come clean and reveal future water prices under Labor before the next state election, the State Opposition said today.
The demand for details follows the release of Queensland Urban Utilities’ corporate plan confirming the Bligh Government has been desperately trying to conceal a nasty water price shock for households in 2013.
LNP Shadow Minister for Energy and Water Utilities Steve Dickson said Labor cunningly used out-dated water consumption estimates in December 2010 to hit South East Queensland households for an additional 15 per cent water price hike in 2013 – after the next state election.
“The Bligh Government has been caught out with their bulk water price increases that are forcing up people’s water bills - after three years of denial and blaming councils,” Mr Dickson said.
“Labor must release their updated bulk water prices before the next state election so voters will know how much extra they would be paying for water in the future.
The Bligh government has form when it comes to hiding policy nasties until after elections. They can’t be trusted.
The LNP has already released our Four Point Plan to reduce water prices.
Our cards are on the table – time for Labor to show their hand.”
The LNP’s Four Point Plan for Water Prices announced by LNP Leader Campbell Newman earlier this year involves:
· Amalgamating the bulk water entities to reduce duplication
· Handing back control of retailing to local governments
· Writing-off some of the non-performing water grid assets
· Immediately adopt a 40 year price path to repay Labor’s $7 billion water grid debt
“The LNP’s Four Point Plan would cut the cost of water for households in South East Queensland by around $80 a year,” Mr Dickson said.
“I urge Queenslanders to take their water bills, take their power bills, and take their rego bills to the ballot box next state election.
A vote for Labor is a vote for higher cost of living – and more household budget pain.
Only a CanDo LNP Government will reduce the cost of living for Queenslanders.”