❓ Mr. Logan questions the Premier regarding the government's stance on electricity bill restructuring, particularly concerning smart meters and a WACOSS report. The Premier defends the government's position, suggesting tariff restructuring and criticising the previous Labor government's structure.
AnsweredQoN 1055Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ELECTRICITY BILL RESTRUCTURING — PREMIER'S
COMMENTS
1055. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the
Premier:
I know the Premier does not want to be here.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you; just carry on, please.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : It
is question time, and the Premier knows he has to answer some questions.
Several members interjected.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : I
refer to the Premier's quoted comments that he supports the
restructuring of electricity bills.
(1) The
government rejected the introduction of smart meters, which is a precondition
for bill restructuring, in 2012. Why did the government do that?
(2) The
government used taxpayers' money to fund the preparation of a detailed
plan for bill restructuring by the Western Australian Council of Social Service
and has kept that report secret for nearly four years. Why has the government
done that?
(3) Why did
the Minister for Energy reject bill restructuring at the time of this year's
budget?
COMMENTS
1055. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the
Premier:
I know the Premier does not want to be here.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you; just carry on, please.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : It
is question time, and the Premier knows he has to answer some questions.
Several members interjected.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : I
refer to the Premier's quoted comments that he supports the
restructuring of electricity bills.
(1) The
government rejected the introduction of smart meters, which is a precondition
for bill restructuring, in 2012. Why did the government do that?
(2) The
government used taxpayers' money to fund the preparation of a detailed
plan for bill restructuring by the Western Australian Council of Social Service
and has kept that report secret for nearly four years. Why has the government
done that?
(3) Why did
the Minister for Energy reject bill restructuring at the time of this year's
budget?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) Perhaps
the member for Cockburn should ask the Minister for Energy. As to my comments,
I think that if anyone looks at the electricity market and industry, they will
come to same conclusion. Obviously, as the minister said, although the rapid
increase in solar panels is a good thing, it impacts on the traditional
electricity industry. The point I made is that I believe—I think the
minister does, too—that over time, the tariff should be slowly but
progressively restructured so that more is paid for the capacity to deliver
electricity, as distinct from actual supply or quantity of electricity
consumed. I think that is a fairer and better pricing system. Smart meters are
not needed to do that. That is the pricing of the service and the capacity. I
think that is fine.
The member referred to a report by
WACOSS?
Mr
F.M. Logan : Yes; there was a report by WACOSS on bill restructuring.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I cannot recall any detail of that. There will be some
changes in pricing in the electricity industry. At the moment the minister,
quite properly, is trying to get out some of the waste and inefficiency in the
industry. Members opposite will not like to hear it, but a lot of that is
because of the structure the Labor Party set up in while in government that
cost this state at least $1 billion.
the member for Cockburn should ask the Minister for Energy. As to my comments,
I think that if anyone looks at the electricity market and industry, they will
come to same conclusion. Obviously, as the minister said, although the rapid
increase in solar panels is a good thing, it impacts on the traditional
electricity industry. The point I made is that I believe—I think the
minister does, too—that over time, the tariff should be slowly but
progressively restructured so that more is paid for the capacity to deliver
electricity, as distinct from actual supply or quantity of electricity
consumed. I think that is a fairer and better pricing system. Smart meters are
not needed to do that. That is the pricing of the service and the capacity. I
think that is fine.
The member referred to a report by
WACOSS?
Mr
F.M. Logan : Yes; there was a report by WACOSS on bill restructuring.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I cannot recall any detail of that. There will be some
changes in pricing in the electricity industry. At the moment the minister,
quite properly, is trying to get out some of the waste and inefficiency in the
industry. Members opposite will not like to hear it, but a lot of that is
because of the structure the Labor Party set up in while in government that
cost this state at least $1 billion.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.