Community and social justice organisations say the Queensland Government’s new Energy Roadmap is a betrayal of families and low-income households already struggling under energy debt.
The plan keeps state-owned coal plants running into the 2040s and doubles gas generation, measures experts say will raise costs for consumers while funnelling billions of taxpayer dollars into outdated industries.
Analysis by Jacobs, commissioned by the Clean Energy Council, shows Queenslanders could face bill increases of up to 47.8% by 2030 under a slowed renewables rollout. Meanwhile, Queensland Conservation Council estimates the Callide B coal plant alone could drain $420 million per year from public funds.
Emma Bacon, Executive Director of Sweltering Cities: “Queenslanders will be paying more for less reliable power. Last summer coal plants broke down 78 times. This plan means more outages and expensive energy. We should be looking for solutions, not more sweltering summers of sleepless nights and bill anxiety.”
Jay Coonan, Co-coordinator of Antipoverty Centre: “People are struggling to pay their bills while billion-dollar companies are being bailed out by governments. If the government cared about cost-of-living relief it would ensure that people have access to energy regardless of their income, not by funding fossil fuels and their shareholders.”
Nic Seton, CEO of Parents for Climate: “The cheapest, cleanest energy is from the sun. QLD families are under the pump to pay rising bills in an ageing system, the last thing we want is a government pouring good money after bad. This plan is reckless and unfair, it punishes families instead of protecting their future.”
The coalition is calling for immediate investment in:
- Cancel unfair energy debt so households can escape the cycle of hardship created by record corporate profits and high bills.
- Bring bills down for good by ensuring energy company profits are reinvested in renewable power, like solar, wind and batteries, and that savings are passed on to customers.
- End the debt trap by strengthening consumer protections and holding energy retailers accountable when they put profits before people.
- Help households take back control through support for rooftop solar, batteries, insulation and efficient appliances so every Australian can afford a safe, healthy, energy-secure home.
“This plan doesn’t stop the bill shock. It supercharges it,” said Seton.
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About Stop the Bill Shock
The Stop the Bill Shock campaign was started by a collective of climate and economic justice organisations working and campaigning to make sure energy bills are permanently lowered and that everyone benefits and is included in the transition to renewables – not just those that can afford home upgrades. https://www.stopthebillshock.org/