QCA fails farmers with power price recommendation

Queensland agriculture, a powerhouse of the state’s economy, has been snubbed in a draft report recommending reductions to regional electricity prices.

“While the Queensland Competition Authority has recommended cuts to the electricity tariffs paid by regional households and small businesses, farmers will feel no relief,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.

“Irrigators have seen their tariffs rise more than 130% in the past decade leaving many struggling with enormous bills forcing them to make decisions to sacrifice productivity.”

The QCA has pointed to decreasing network charges and reduced wholesale energy costs as the basis for its recommendation to cut household and small business tariffs.

“These factors apply just as equally to the electricity being used and paid for under irrigation tariffs by farmers growing food and fibre - yet there the recommendation is for no change,” Mr Galligan said.

“We are extremely disappointed by this snub.  

“CANEGROWERS is calling on the Queensland Government and the QCA to explain why this discrimination has occurred.”