State and territory leaders are calling for more details before signing up to the Federal Government’s plan to cut electricity bills.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says her reform package will save consumers $250 per year on their power bills.
She is hoping to reach an agreement on the plan at a COAG meeting of state and territory leaders on Friday.
Ms Gillard wants to give more funding to the national energy regulator, and set up new consumer groups to keep power prices down.
Victorian Energy Minister Michael O’Brien says some of the proposals look worthwhile, but the industry watchdog needs more power.
“The Australian Energy Regulator is in a constant battle for resources, both financial and personnel,” he said.
New South Wales Minister Katrina Hodkinson says the states are already looking at ways of pushing power prices down.
“I think the best things they could do is abolish the green schemes and abolish the carbon tax,” she said.
Ms Gillard is pushing for the roll out of smart meters, but Queensland Energy Minister Mark McArdle is making no commitments.
“I call upon the Prime Minister to release all costings in relation to her claim as to how these prices are going to be driven down and more importantly, when prices will fall,” he said.
