News

Daniel Andrews plays politics with power in Ovens Valley

Tuesday 7 August 2018

Cost-of-living relief for Ovens Valley families, farmers and local businesses is at risk with Daniel Andrews threatening to walk away from the Commonwealth’s National Energy Guarantee (NEG).

On Friday, Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg will meet with state and territory Ministers to finalise the NEG.

Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said Daniel Andrews had an opportunity to finally get behind families, farmers and local businesses struggling to pay their skyrocketing energy bills.

“We know rising power prices are hurting local families and businesses,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Across the state, Victorians are choosing to switch off to save money just so they can afford to put food on the table.

“Despite a need to relieve the cost-of-living for our local households and businesses, it’s becoming clear Daniel Andrews would rather cuddle up with inner-city greens and pursue his ideological Victorian Renewable Energy Target than get behind a common sense approach to reducing emissions and cutting power prices.”

Data from the Victorian Essential Services Commission in June confirmed energy disconnections in Victoria jumped 11 per cent between December 2017 and March 2018, while The St Vincent de Paul Society has estimated the average Victorian home is paying $300 more on energy bills this year.

The Australian Energy Security Board recently said that a national approach could deliver savings of up to $550 for the average household.

“If Labor refuses to sign up to the NEG and continue with its ideological Victorian Renewable Energy Target, Daniel Andrews will only worsen power reliability in Victoria and push energy prices even higher,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Only the Liberal Nationals will take the ideology out of energy by supporting a balanced energy mix that delivers the lowest-cost and most reliable power for all Victorians.”