Federal Nationals MP Keith Pitt has suggested cutting off Queensland from the National Electricity Market (NEM) to potentially reduce power bills for Queenslanders, who already experience some of the lowest prices in the country.
While Pitt said it could save Queenslanders money on their power bills, he acknowledged it could leave other states in the dark. This is because Queensland currently produces more power than it needs, feeding excess power back into the NEM, which other states then utilise.
“If Queensland stands alone, that excess supply will drive down the wholesale price, which then drives down the retail price,” Mr Pitt said.
“These are Queensland assets, paid for by the Queensland people, owned by the Queensland people, and we can’t continue to prop up states that make silly decisions.
“I think if there are blackouts which will occur around Christmas in some of our states, we want those blackouts to stop at the border.
“Why should Queensland be affected when they actually have the youngest coal fleets in the country.
“Sometimes, we have to make some bold decisions, which make a difference.”
His comment about silly decisions is most likely a jab at Victoria, which is currently trying to legislate its ambitious renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030.
The comments will no doubt be a campaigning point for the upcoming Queensland election late next year.
