Deb Frecklington tells ‘big stick’ federal colleagues to lay off Queensland
LNP leader Deb Frecklington has again slapped down Coalition colleagues over their “big stick” energy policy, insisting she knows what Queenslanders really want.
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LNP leader Deb Frecklington has again slapped down her Coalition colleagues over their push to pass the Morrison Government’s “big stick” energy policy before the federal election, insisting it is not the answer to the state’s power bill woes.
The policy – which has at this stage been shelved by the Commonwealth – would force state-owned power generators Stanwell and CS Energy to divest assets should they be caught price gouging.
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LNP MP Keith Pitt last week wrote a letter, co-signed by federal colleagues MPs George Christensen, Michelle Landry, Ken O’Dowd, Llew O’Brien and Barry O’Sullivan, demanding Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack ensure the “big stick” Bill is debated and passed next month.
“Without divestiture powers, in our view, no action can be taken which would cause Queensland Labor to reduce power prices,” their letter stated.
They also called for the Morrison Government to underwrite a new generator to compete with Queensland’s state-owned generators.
Ms Frecklington yesterday dismissed their call to bring on the “big stick” laws, insisting Queenslanders would not stand for asset sales in any form.
“I will not stand idly by and allow anyone to forcibly sell Queensland’s assets,” she told The Courier-Mail.
“I listen to Queenslanders. They are my boss and they have spoken in two elections about asset sales.
“I stand with Queenslanders and once again rule it out.”
The former Bligh government was punished by voters for selling off assets and the LNP shelved plans for its own “strong choices” asset-sales policy after it was voted out at the 2015 state election.
Ms Frecklington – who has drawn fire from her federal colleagues in the past for criticising the “big stick” policy – insisted her energy plan to split the generators and deregulate regional power prices was the best way forward.
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