Shadow Minister Media Releases
NSW Labor Government Condemned For Electricity Price Increase (21/05/2009)
The NSW Labor Government has once again shown its incompetence by being too weak to reject a recommendation of IPART to increase electricity charges by twenty percent, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Don Page said today.
“At a time when NSW small businesses are struggling under the burden of an historically low economy, the NSW Labor Government have failed them again by increasing electricity costs,” Mr Page said.
“Small businesses cannot afford these price hikes in the current economic climate,” he said.
“The NSW Labor Government’s decision to implement IPART’s recommendation of a 20% increase will cripple many small businesses, especially in regional and rural areas.”
A KPMG report last year showed that regional businesses are paying up to 51% and up to $100,000 more than their city counterparts for their electricity costs.
“The NSW Labor Government cannot continue to drive small business into the ground,” Mr Page said.
“These price increases are due to Labor’s incompetence and neglect by not investing in electricity infrastructure and increased capacity,” he said.
“The New South Wales Labor Government should also be doing more to encourage alternative energy production into the grid.
“Instead, now New South Wales businesses and residents are being asked to pay for the Labor Government’s years of neglect and lack of foresight. In this instance their failure to invest in electricity infrastructure,” he said.
“An increase of this magnitude to business running costs will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for many small businesses.
“I condemn this incompetent State Labor Government for increasing electricity costs to NSW businesses and families.”
