What you said about Steven Miles’ state-owned power retailer pledge

Queenslanders haven’t taken kindly to Premier Steven Miles’ proposal to create a state-owned electricity retailer to compete against itself. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Premier Steven Miles’ proposal to set up a state-owned electricity retailer to compete against itself has drawn a swift reaction.

Queenslanders have questioned Premier Steven Miles’ proposal to create a state-owned electricity retailer to compete against itself.

A re-elected Labor government would set up a state-owned electricity retailer as part of a bid to make power bills cheaper.

Premier Steven Miles has vowed to put people before profits, with the new operator to undercut established companies on price.

That means the new retailer would compete against regional Queensland’s publicly owned Ergon Energy.

Under Labor’s plan the “people’s retailer” would operate statewide, not just in regional Queensland like wholesaler Ergon Energy.

WHAT YOU SAID

‘Wake up’

Brad

The Queensland government already owns Energy Queensland which is the largest energy company in Australia. Energy Queensland includes both Energex and Ergon.

The Queensland government also owns CS Energy and Stanwell power generation assets and Powerlink transmission assets. Will someone please pass on this information to our Premier before he says something silly….oops..too late.

Old Timer

Wake up folks, we you and me own the power stations and power grid. Ergon in NQ is ours all these retailers are just buying our power cheap and selling it for their profits wake up. Get some smarter people in Government and get rid of the crooks.

Alan

Of course Queensland has the highest wholesale prices with the government owned power stations and its own Ergon Energy supplier.

This incompetent Labor government overcharges us on one hand and gives back $1000 of this gouging and wants to be thanked politically at the ballot box under the pretence it’s helping with cost of living. Wake up Queenslanders.

Bystander

Every time government gets involved in the retail market, it’s a disaster for everyone, especially taxpayers.

Mcjelly

Brilliant idea! Give the government more control and power!

Well duh! Why didn’t we thunk of that sooner? After all, Anna fixed a whole lot of stuff!

Frank #2

All electricity currently generated in Qld is “sold” through a central Aust Energy Market Operator (AEMO) who actually auctions off electricity to the highest bidder, this is what needs to change for there to be any real decrease in electricity costs.

Qld state owned generators should export only its excess electricity to AEMO.

‘April Fools day’

Wimbrel

We already have a state owned retailer, it’s called Ergon, and it constantly rips us off for feed-in and supply tariffs. It is not the retailers who game the system but the electricity generators. Go get another idea.

Michael

So we have a state run power retailer and state run petrol stations. How about some state run supermarkets to under cut Coles and Woolworths and some state run department stores to undercut KMart, Big W and Target. This state control approach has been tried before with less than satisfactory results.

Candidapax

Next there will be state run food stores - It will be a common brand “Breadlines”, just like in other socislist regimes.

Holy Trinity

So he’s going to set up a second state owned power company to compete against the overpriced one we already have....... Is it April Fools day?

Premier Steven Miles’ idea has been whacked by readers. Picture: Adam Head

Cranky Franky

First there were petrol stations, now power stations. How long before the unions and their mouthpiece, the ALP, propose supermarkets. Heaven help QLD if these donkeys retain power at the next election.

Ian

What do we call a country where the state owns all assets?

Chook Raffle

Why stop at that? Why not supermarkets, department stores, airlines, concert ticket companies!

‘Controlled by unions’

Roy

Labor had over a decade to make our lives easier. They have done nothing. Too busy appeasing their minority groups and Unions to worry about the other 70% of the state.

ITMan

This is a complete diversion, QLD government owns all generators and infrastructure in Queensland. Maybe they just reduce the wholesale price instead of having Ergon and Energex making massive profits.

And while you’re at it, take the new unionisation pay rates and conditions out of the electrical installation standards, does everyone know that Energex infrastructure costs 30% more to install from 1 January. Unions sites work an average of 2.7 days a week and have the same no of safety incidents as a private site.

Kevin

Name one government owned corporation that operates economically and efficiently, they are controlled by unions who dictate operations.

Christine

So Miles wants to spend millions (probably billions if the CFMEU is involved) of taxpayers money to save a few taxpayers a couple of cents. Sounds a wonderful idea. What next, State owned supermarkets or dairies? How much more can Miles promise in desperation to try and stay in power?

Dave

10 years of doing nothing for Qlders and NOW Miles thinks he should finally do something? Who is he kidding? All talk, spin, lies and BS like the last 10 years. It’s time for a real Govt and not a bunch of UNION LIARS.

Peter

Run by what Union with power coming from Chinese solar farms and wind turbines, what could go wrong.

‘Desperate’

Maria

Maria’s Husband. Another pie in the sky idea from a desperate person trying to win back some desperately needed votes, not having it Miles.

tina

So obviously a sound of desperation. All empty promises. Don’t believe a word.

Danny

Miles is a desperate fool.

Originally published as What you said about Steven Miles’ state-owned power retailer pledge