Arthur Gorrie
Gympie region’s vital small and micro-business sector will have some much-needed help with power bills, following an announcement from Employment and Small Business Minister Di Farmer.
Speaking at the Sunshine Coast, Ms Farmer said Queensland small to medium sized businesses would benefit from $35 million over three years to help reduce their electricity bills.
She said about about 205,000 eligible small businesses would receive a $650 rebate on electricity bills in 2023-24 to cut the cost of doing business in Queensland,
That would be in addition to a further $550 off household bills, she said.
She said the power rebates would combine with “major investment in our Energy and Jobs Plan, unleashing new industries and jobs in the regions.”
She said other government power bill help would come in the form of a $700 Cost of Living Rebate on electricity bills for vulnerable households, plus a further $372 under the Queensland Electricity Rebate Scheme, bringing total rebates for Queenslanders doing it toughest to $1,072.
“All of this is only possible because we own our public assets and we are making sure Queenslanders – especially in our regions – are getting a fair share from current high coal prices,” she said.
“Public ownership ensures profits from the state’s major electricity assets are funnelled back into the pockets of Queenslanders.”
She said power bills had risen 43 per cent under the last LNP Government.
“I know every little bit helps,” Ms Farmer said when she made her announcement at Caloundra this week.