Glenn Lazarus (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes the rising cost of electricity for consumers across Australia, and the resultant financial pressures being placed on Australian households and businesses;

(b) acknowledges That the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is currently negotiating with power network companies to determine electricity pricing for the next 5 years in Queensland and South Australia;

(c) expresses concern at the suggestion that electricity costs may double in Queensland, and rise significantly in other states, in response to attempts by power network companies to exaggerate financing, operating and investment costs at the expense of households, small business, irrigators and industry;

(d) calls on the Government to review the role of the AER in regulating Australian energy markets and networks and the extent to which the AER is promoting outcomes that are in the short and long term interests of consumers; and

(e) urges the Government to proactively ensure That the AER has the appropriate resources, authority and charter to negotiate electricity arrangements, which appropriately and fairly take into account the interests of consumers.

I seek leave to make a short statement.