Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens' Energy spokesperson
The Hodgman Government has repeatedly promised to make energy more affordable for all Tasmanians, but today the Treasurer confirmed he expects power prices will rise under his Government after the 1st of July.
Tasmanian power bills are made up by a retail part for Aurora, an electricity part for Hydro, and a poles and wires part for TasNetworks. From July, Hydro’s electricity part of a power bill will increase by up to 30%.
The Hodgman Government is attempting to hide this increase by offsetting it with the savings that should be transferred to Tasmanians from the big fall in TasNetworks’ component of the bill.
Around a $110 reduction on the average household’s annual power bill next year was expected, with small businesses looking to save about $200. This was thanks to reduced costs from TasNetworks for operating their poles and wires.
Now these large savings will be transferred from household budgets into Hydro’s pocket, with the 30% increase in the electricity part of their power bills.
The passage of the government’s Bill empowers the Treasurer to set the electricity part of people’s power bills. This will mean the Liberals will be singularly responsible for increasing power bills this year.
The Liberals are increasing power bills, despite their repeated promises to push them down. They must come clean with Tasmanians, and admit they’ve attempted to mislead them in the lead up to an election.