Moncrieff Media
Power prices up 26 per cent in two years. Another Rudd cost-of-living promise dashed.
11 May 2010
Electricity prices have soared by 26 per cent under the current Rudd Labor Government, according to official figures.
And there could be worse to come, says local MP Steven Ciobo.
Mr Ciobo said Consumer Price Index figures showed electricity prices went up by 26 per cent in real terms since the election of the Rudd Labor Government in 2007.
“Under the former Coalition Government electricity prices went up by an average of less than 1 per cent a year, compared to an average of more than 10 per cent a year under the Rudd Government,” Mr Ciobo said.
“The Gold Coast has already been named among the least affordable cities in the world to buy a house, and now locals are paying through the roof for basic amenities such as electricity and other utilities.”
“Kevin Rudd promised to cut the cost of living during his 2007 election campaign. But in almost three years in power, the country has seen nothing but broken promises, bungled schemes such as the home insulation program, an excess in spending putting Australia in almost $137 billion in debt, and now hard working families being hit in the hip pocket with surging power prices.
“In media reports today, Origin Energy said Labor’s new 40 per cent resources tax will further push up retail energy prices, confirming more fallout from Labor Government initiatives.
“This is just another blow to working families in a long list of Labor blunders, which is putting financial pressure on Gold Coasters.”