PM baulks at Queensland LNP’s power prices plan

Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington has offered Prime Minister Scott Morrison a way to win the next election — but it has only annoyed him.

STATE Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has issued Prime Minister Scott Morrison a $7 billion “back in the game” election-winning strategy that would reduce Queensland power bills by hundreds of dollars a year.

In a blunt letter, Ms Frecklington urged Canberra to pay down the “gold-plating” of Queensland poles and wires, which has dramatically increased power bills for households and businesses.

Queenslanders ‘overcharged’ $460 a year

Parties united against PM’s asset sales plan

Power giants propose one-off price reduction

It is understood the advice has annoyed Mr Morrison, who believes Ms Frecklington should instead take the fight up to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for ripping Queensland households off.

Ms Frecklington said while state governments were to blame for over-investment, the Commonwealth was complicit because the gold plating had been approved by the Australian Energy Regulator.

“If the Prime Minister wants to get himself back in the game and win Queensland, this is one policy that will actually make a real difference,’’ Ms Frecklington said.

“We are calling on the PM to write down the regulated asset base of Energy Queensland and Powerlink up to $7 billion.

“This is about stripping out Labor’s gold plating to lower network costs to deliver cost of living relief.

“We also believe these assets should be kept in public hands, so the government can control the prices.”

State LNP leader Deb Frecklington believes the move would be an election winner.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was reportedly annoyed by the advice.

It has been estimated a regulated asset writedown of $7 billion will save $240 on the average electricity bill in South East Queensland and $300 in regional Queensland.

Queensland state governments have over-invested about $7 billion in power company poles and wires.

The more the network is valued, the more customers can be charged for the power.

A recent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report recommended the Queensland Government “take immediate steps to remedy the over-investment of their network businesses in order to improve affordability for consumers... (which could be done) with appropriate assistance from the Australian Government”.

Mr Morrison would not commit to the writedown, but said he agreed with Ms Frecklington and the LNP.

“Queenslanders pay too much for their electricity due to the inaction of the Queensland Labor Government,’’ Mr Morrison told The Courier-Mail.

“Queensland Labor should take action and stop ripping off Queenslanders to the tune of billions of dollars.

“The Palaszczuk Government runs the scheme and sets the prices – they should fix it.”