Aussie cotton sector calls for electricity hike relief

The call followed the Queensland Competition Authority's (QCA) determination for an electricity price increase of 20% for most irrigators.

Cotton Australia’s Queensland Policy Manager, Michael Murray, says the hike was even more than the significant increase flagged by the QCA earlier this year, when it released its draft report in February.

“The QCA has made its determination, but Cotton Australia calls on the Queensland Government not to impose the full increases,” Mr Murray says.

“With these increases, electricity for irrigators has blown out by more than 250% since 2000, which is simply unsustainable,” he said.

"These rises are completely unjustifiable, given annual inflation has been pegged around 3% per annum. There is something very, very wrong with a system that - year after year - awards price hikes far above CPI."

Mr Murray says the Queensland Government should provide immediate relief, and also map out a longer term process to bring electricity prices under control.

"The upcoming Budget is a perfect opportunity for the Queensland Government to consider the plight of the state's farmers and address the imbalance currently in our electricity pricing system."

Cotton Australia