❓ Mr. Day questions the Treasurer about electricity tariffs for businesses in the southwest grid, referencing a pre-election promise. The Treasurer confirms no increase for most businesses, but acknowledges increases for domestic and some regional users.
AnsweredQoN 354Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TAXES AND CHARGES, WESTERN POWER 354. Mr DAY to the Treasurer: I remind the minister of the Premier’s promise during the televised pre-election leaders debate that the Labor Party, if elected to government, would not increase taxes and charges. (1) Can the Treasurer confirm that there has been no increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector within the south west grid in Western Australia since 1993, which equates to a real reduction in tariffs of some 20 per cent during that period? (2) Have Treasury officials made approaches to the Western Power Corporation seeking an increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector? (3) If so, did the Government support this approach by Treasury? Mr RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
TAXES AND CHARGES, WESTERN POWER
I remind the minister of the Premier’s promise during the televised pre-election leaders debate that the Labor Party, if elected to government, would not increase taxes and charges. (1) Can the Treasurer confirm that there has been no increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector within the south west grid in Western Australia since 1993, which equates to a real reduction in tariffs of some 20 per cent during that period? (2) Have Treasury officials made approaches to the Western Power Corporation seeking an increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector? (3) If so, did the Government support this approach by Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
(1) Can the Treasurer confirm that there has been no increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector within the south west grid in Western Australia since 1993, which equates to a real reduction in tariffs of some 20 per cent during that period? (2) Have Treasury officials made approaches to the Western Power Corporation seeking an increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector? (3) If so, did the Government support this approach by Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
(2) Have Treasury officials made approaches to the Western Power Corporation seeking an increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector? (3) If so, did the Government support this approach by Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
(3) If so, did the Government support this approach by Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
TAXES AND CHARGES, WESTERN POWER
I remind the minister of the Premier’s promise during the televised pre-election leaders debate that the Labor Party, if elected to government, would not increase taxes and charges. (1) Can the Treasurer confirm that there has been no increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector within the south west grid in Western Australia since 1993, which equates to a real reduction in tariffs of some 20 per cent during that period? (2) Have Treasury officials made approaches to the Western Power Corporation seeking an increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector? (3) If so, did the Government support this approach by Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
(1) Can the Treasurer confirm that there has been no increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector within the south west grid in Western Australia since 1993, which equates to a real reduction in tariffs of some 20 per cent during that period? (2) Have Treasury officials made approaches to the Western Power Corporation seeking an increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector? (3) If so, did the Government support this approach by Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
(2) Have Treasury officials made approaches to the Western Power Corporation seeking an increase in electricity tariffs for the business sector? (3) If so, did the Government support this approach by Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
(3) If so, did the Government support this approach by Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for his question. Of course, the Government’s position on fees and charges was announced a couple of months ago and, as members will recall, despite speculation to the contrary, there was no increase in electricity prices. The Government made a conscious decision that there would be no increase in electricity prices, and that is consistent with the Government’s policy to drive down real prices of electricity through increasing competition in the electricity market. Sometimes there are discussions within the bureaucracy about various approaches to problems. However, in the end, the Government makes decisions and accepts responsibility, and it has a very clear determination to drive down the real price of electricity. Consistent with that, we announced that there would be no increases in electricity charges when fees and charges announcements were made earlier this year. Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr Day: Do you agree that there has been no increase since 1993? Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr RIPPER: Yes, my understanding is that there was an increase for domestic consumers of electricity but no increase for business customers generally, except for those business customers in regional areas who were using larger amounts of electricity. Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr Day: Has there been a real decrease of 20 per cent in the south west grid? Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
Mr RIPPER: I am talking about the nominal charges in prices, and the member for Darling Range will concede that there was an increase in prices for domestic consumers and there was also an increase for large industrial and commercial users in the regions.
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