Matthew Groom fails to address enormous power cost increases
Residential care facility facing 100% increase
Minister should be working on long-term solution
Energy Minister Matthew Groom cannot ignore the impact power price rises will have on Tasmanian businesses and services.
Shadow Energy Minister Scott Bacon said the Minister failed to address the situation being faced by an aged care provider on the East Coast.
“Medea Park Residential Care at St Helens is faced with a 100 per cent increase to their power bill,” Mr Bacon said.
“Over the next three years Medea will have to pay an additional $90,000 for its electricity. The best Matthew Groom is offering is to reduce that increase by around 20 per cent.
“Medea Park is not in a position to pass on these costs. It will ultimately have a significant impact on the services they are able to provide.
“Rather than recognising the magnitude of the problems facing Tasmanian businesses, Matthew Groom has reverted to the politics of blame.
“The fact is Matthew Groom voted to link Tasmania’s wholesale price to the Victorian spot price, without objection or amendment.”
“The intention of this bill is in essence to open the market to full retail contestability and other associated reforms. As a consequence we have no objection to the core intent of the government’s proposed reforms.” (Matthew Groom, 2013)
“The decision, supported by all sides of parliament, was based on the best advice available at the time,” Mr Bacon said.
“Market forces mean that a new model is required to make sure Tasmanian energy users are not disadvantaged.
“Matthew Groom should focus on fixing the problem – not just playing politics.”
Scott Bacon MP Shadow Energy Minister
