The impacts of skyrocketing power prices on local households and businesses will be front and centre today as Federal Member for Flynn Colin Boyce hosts Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Ted O’Brien in Gladstone.
Gladstone will be the second region Mr O’Brien will visit as part of a wider ‘listening tour’ in key locations across the National Energy Market (NEM) on the East Coast of Australia.
Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said he was eager to get on the ground in Gladstone during the early stages of the tour to hear directly from local businesses grappling with the fallout from the current energy crisis.
“It’s my job to help refresh the Coalition’s climate and energy policies ahead of the next federal election and there is no better place to start than here in Gladstone,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Gladstone is a hub of industrial activity and is reliant on the provision of reliable and affordable energy which must be at the centre of our country’s future energy policy.”
Federal Member for Flynn, Collin Boyce said that he looks forward to showing the Shadow Minister around the region and introducing him to a wide range of stakeholders including industry leaders and small business owners.
“During the trip, we will be visiting several local businesses as well as host a stakeholder engagement roundtable to hear what concerns and opportunities lie ahead for Central Queensland.
“We will also be talking to representatives from companies set to be affected by the Labor Government’s proposed safeguard mechanism.”
Soaring power prices are taking a toll on businesses of all sizes. As part of this listening tour, Mr O’Brien intends to put the issue of power prices back at the centre of the national discussion on energy.
“This tour is all about listening to the very people most affected by Australia’s energy and climate polices to inform any future policy decisions,” Mr O’Brien said.
ENDS
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