Rising electricity prices continue to have a major impact on local businesses, according to Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who has called on the State Government to take action to combat the increasing costs.
Mr Bull said the most recent example of this was in the case of Cranes Asphalting and Bitumen Sealing and Eastern Asphalt, which have reported electricity price increases in the order of more than 110 per cent from their most recent contracts.
“This is an increase of around $50,000 over the length of the contract,” Mr Bull told Parliament.
Mr Bull said Energy Intelligence, the consultants for the two businesses, requested quotes from 13 retailers, with the issue of “volatile market conditions” being cited.
“The company went on to say that as we approach the higher-demand summer period, prices are expected to further increase.”
Cranes Asphalting and Bitumen Sealing and Eastern Asphalt spokesman, Michael Crane, said: “It’s certainly driving the cost of doing business up and it’s going to have an adverse effect on our competitiveness in the market, which is the big issue.”
A recent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report cited green schemes as having contributed significantly to higher energy prices in Victoria.
“We have also heard ACCC chairman, Rod Sims, say the closure of Hazelwood Power Station has contributed to the rise in electricity prices,” Mr Bull said.
“This is what the Coalition has been saying all along and it is time this government announced what it is going to do to reduce the increasing costs of energy in Victoria, which are threatening businesses and jobs.”
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, with Michael Crane, of Cranes Asphalting and Bitumen Sealing and Eastern Asphalt, which are experiencing electricity price increases in the order of 110 per cent.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
