Media release – Independent candidate for Clark, Sue Hickey, 7 March 2024

Smarter energy policies needed for a better future

Independent candidate for Clark, Sue Hickey, says Tasmania must adopt smarter energy policies and fairer electricity pricing mechanisms to build a better future for the State.

Ms Hickey said Tasmanians have been paying too much for their electricity for too long and little had been done to support energy efficiency and savings.

“We now have the major parties promising tit-for-tat electricity price cuts, caps and cash rebates in a cynical cash-splash to garner votes at election time,

“The reality is that Tasmania’s electricity prices are too high, given that we have invested in the Hydro for more than 100 years, so the price reductions should have been implemented long ago, and they should be permanent.

“The promised payments and temporary cost reductions are all well and good, even though some may be unreasonable, flawed and even unfair in their implementation. But we need smarter policies that lower electricity costs, not just in the election aftermath, but for the long term.

“Tasmania needs smart policies particularly to help low-income earners to install solar panels, to encourage landlords to put solar panels on rental properties and policies to make homes and rental properties more energy efficient.”

As an example of a flawed policy, Ms Hickey pointed to the Liberals proposed a Renewable Energy Dividend (RED) of $250 per household. On reading, a person living alone will receive $250, and a five-person household also $250 equating to just $50 per person. A person living in a modern, energy efficient house will get a higher percentage of their electricity bill paid than a renter in an older and less energy efficient property. This policy is neither fair, reasonable or well thought out.

Ms Hickey said she would support any responsible policies that lowered the cost of energy for households and small business and that encouraged electricity savings and energy efficiency.

“Many Tasmanians are struggling to make ends meet. They’re overwhelmed by cost-of-living pressures and reducing electricity costs is one of the levers available to ease the burden.

“We can help by firstly cutting the cost of our electricity and also introducing smart policies that support alternate energy use and promote energy efficiency,” Ms Hickey said.