Electoral Redistribution Submissions Deadline Looming
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I strongly encourage those who are yet to make a submission to the Queensland Redistribution Commission to do so today, before it’s too late.
The deadline for objections is Monday March 27 and can be submitted online at http://boundaries.ecq.qld.gov.au/ or by post to; The Secretary, Queensland Redistribution Commission GPO Box 1393, Brisbane Qld, 4001.
It is ridiculous that the publicised re-mapping of boundaries will create new seats closer to metropolitan areas. This is another massive setback for outback representation, where we already struggle with numbers in Parliament and these suggested changes will result in the continuation of a South-East centric government.
The wealth created from our region will be funneled down to the coast to help build their tunnels and stadiums.
The changes to the Mount Isa electorate, re-named as Traegar, will mean losing Diamantina and Winton Shire, comprising less than 2000 people combined, while taking in the Charters Towers Regional Council, with a population in excess of 12,000 people.
Any sitting member in this position, will face increased demands from the addition of a large population center that is located 769 km from the main city of Mount Isa.
Get your submissions in today, and don’t sit there idly watching the major parties get away with continually overlooking outback Queensland and impose their unrealistic representation measures where the policies only focus on cities.
Robbie Katter MP
State Member for Mount Isa
Electricity prices soaring
The Australian National University analysis of long-term price trends shows electricity prices in Queensland have soared 135 per cent over the past 10 years with the rise in annual household, small businesses and irrigators, such as Cane Growers, bills outstripping the growth of every other household expense, while also making it the fastest-growing cost for most businesses, including food and fibre producing Agricultural family farming businesses.
Queensland was followed by Victoria with a 117 per cent increase and NSW with 108 per cent. The Queensland State Governments 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target is also going to dramatically drive electricity prices higher, acting as a kick in the guts for families while costing jobs and sending investment offshore.
The Queensland Government’s plan to produce 50 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2030 has been dealt a blow by the national power market operator, which has warned that Queensland’s push for the target could lead to higher electricity prices and an unstable network.
In a submission to the Queensland Renewable Energy Expert Panel review, the Australian Energy Market Operator, AEMO, has attacked modelling used by the Queensland Government to claim its 2030 target will be cost-neutral to consumers and will not undermine network reliability.
The regulator said further modelling could reveal that some of the existing power stations would have to close, and lead to higher electricity prices.
AEMO notes that if this reveals that the operating regime for some of these generators will be less profitable than conventional modelling anticipates, those plants could close earlier than anticipated.
Such a target would again drive up electricity prices for households and businesses. It would also destroy the value of most of the electricity assets held by the Queensland government. People expect the Queensland Government to provide reliable, affordable power and any government worth their salt would be doing that.
Kerry Latter
Chief Executive Officer
CANEGROWERS Mackay