Queensland election 2017: Parties lay out plans to zap electricity bills

WITH the cost of energy continuing to rise, both sides of politics have produced wildly different promises and policies to cut Queensland power bills.

Labor has committed to a 50/50 renewable energy target, while the LNP has pledged to abolish it.

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WITH the cost of energy continuing to rise, both sides of politics have produced wildly different promises and policies that they say will lower the amount families pay each quarter.

Heading into the November 25 poll, the major parties have laid many of their election cards on the table to tackle the issue.

Labor has promised to use the dividends from state-owned energy retailers to give each household a $50 discount off their power bill, while also committing to a 50/50 renewable energy target, which they say will slash power prices.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk outside her home yesterday. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning

LNP Leader Tim Nicholls in his electorate of Clayfield yesterday. Picture: AAP/Glenn Hunt

In their response to the rising cost of energy, the LNP has promised to build a privately funded coal-fired power station in north Queensland, along with freezing the bonuses for power company executives until prices come down.

They have also pledged to abolish the Government’s policy for a 50/50 renewable energy target, a move that they say will save Queensland households $300 a year.

To tackle other issues, such as law and order, government debt, and roads and rail infrastructure, Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Government has committed to an extra 400 police officers over the next four years, along with building Cross River Rail without funding from the Federal Government.

The Opposition has pledged to freeze the cost of the family car registration bill, along with setting aside $100 million in the Budget for up to 20,000 jobs for young Queenslanders.

Should they hold the balance of power, One Nation has promised to give police extra powers and employ more doctors by reducing the number of senior managers in Queensland Health.

Ms Palaszczuk says her Government was able to keep more than 90 per cent of the commitments she made to Queenslanders before the 2015 election.

Labor made 553 commitments, with 505 delivered before Ms Palaszczuk called the election.

Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Parties lay out plans to zap electricity bills