❓ Opposition questions the Premier about Synergy's monopoly and its impact on innovation in the electricity sector. The Premier deflects, attacking the Liberal Party's understanding of the electricity network and their past policies.
AnsweredQoN 902Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RETAIL ELECTRICITY MARKET
— COMPETITION
902. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : Can the
Premier confirm that the inability of Western Australians to purchase
electricity and telecommunication home packages is indicative of much broader
innovations in the electricity sector that WA is missing out on because of
Synergy's monopoly?
— COMPETITION
902. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : Can the
Premier confirm that the inability of Western Australians to purchase
electricity and telecommunication home packages is indicative of much broader
innovations in the electricity sector that WA is missing out on because of
Synergy's monopoly?
AnswerView source ↗
I can confirm that the Liberal
Party has very little knowledge or idea about how to run our electricity
network. I can confirm that. I can also confirm that people in senior positions
in the Liberal Party have no knowledge or understanding of what they are
dealing with. I would not be surprised if in what they are referring to—I
have not heard of it—they have got
the wrong end of the stick once again. I do know that in order to go to full
retail contestability , which is the Liberal Party's policy,
there has to be a very, very big increase in price to get there. That is why it
did not do it when it was in office.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : We will
ensure that the people of Western Australia understand. I also note that when
the Liberal Party went into opposition, the Leader of the Opposition endorsed
the policy of selling off Western Power. I also note that. That was not before
the last election; it was after the last election. The people of Western Australia
will understand that if the Liberal Party is elected, our electricity assets
will be sold and prices will go up.
Party has very little knowledge or idea about how to run our electricity
network. I can confirm that. I can also confirm that people in senior positions
in the Liberal Party have no knowledge or understanding of what they are
dealing with. I would not be surprised if in what they are referring to—I
have not heard of it—they have got
the wrong end of the stick once again. I do know that in order to go to full
retail contestability , which is the Liberal Party's policy,
there has to be a very, very big increase in price to get there. That is why it
did not do it when it was in office.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : We will
ensure that the people of Western Australia understand. I also note that when
the Liberal Party went into opposition, the Leader of the Opposition endorsed
the policy of selling off Western Power. I also note that. That was not before
the last election; it was after the last election. The people of Western Australia
will understand that if the Liberal Party is elected, our electricity assets
will be sold and prices will go up.
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