David Janetzki accused of lack of consultation in energy overhaul
David Janetzki was due back at work on Sunday after spending a third of his time in cabinet so far on leave. And a new storm is brewing.
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Energy Minister David Janetzki failed to consult with power executives of government-owned energy corporations before imposing new performance targets on them through the state’s $1.4bn electricity maintenance guarantee.
The guarantee, a cornerstone of the LNP’s 100-day plan, was announced on November 28 – meeting the 30-day deadline.
However records obtained from Mr Janetzki’s ministerial diary reveal that he did not hold meetings with anyone from CS Energy, Stanwell or CleanCo ahead of the announcement.
Mr Janetzki instead released a statement outlining new performance benchmarks for government-owned corporations, including new key performance indicators for maintenance, safety and plant performance, with executive bonuses tied to meeting them.
The statement also promised long-term investment certainty for energy infrastructure.
In the two weeks before the announcement, Mr Janetzki met with Powerlink representatives, attended a lunch with the Clean Energy Council and held talks with Rio Tinto and the Queensland Resources Council.
Mr Janetzki did not answer questions as to why he did not meet with the energy executives ahead of unveiling the maintenance guarantee.
“We promised Queenslanders we would implement the electricity maintenance guarantee and that’s what we did,” he said.
“Government-owned generators were directed to commence delivering on the terms of the guarantee within the first month of government.
“Government-owned generators are subsequently due to submit revised statements of corporate intent which align with the electricity maintenance guarantee by the end of this month.
“The key performance indicators to deliver reliability and safety include equipment maintenance, personal safety, process safety and plant performance.”
If KPIs are not met, executives will lose their performance bonuses.
According to Mr Janetzki, CS Energy, CleanCo and Stanwell executives pocketed more than $2m in bonuses over the past five years.
The government has allocated $1.4bn over five years to bolster energy infrastructure, hoping to improve reliability and put downward pressure on prices.
Mr Janetzki, who has been on a holiday break, last faced the media on November 26.
He was due to return to work on Sunday.
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