However, there is a major challenge waiting for Tony Abbott once he moves in to The Lodge – and it relates to the fact that the Coalition now controls government in Australia’s three largest electricity-consuming regions: New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

Customers in these states consume almost 79 per cent of household power. They consume slightly more than 79 per cent of business power.

Seven million of nine million Australian residential customers are in the three states. Almost 900,000 out of 1.8 million business account holders are based there, too.

This is where the twin issues of energy security and end-user prices have their biggest impact.

Assume Abbott wins a majority big enough to carry him through the next two elections – that is to 2018-19 or 2020-21 depending on whether he goes for a double dissolution to sort out a recalcitrant Senate.

This means the states – NSW in 2015 and 2019, Victoria in 2014 and 2018 and Queensland in 2016 and 2020 -– will all be going to the polls during the Abbott ascendancy, with energy costs continuing to be a “white hot” issue, as Barry O’Farrell described it last year.

Federal governments have major influence over electricity supply – through measures like a carbon price, a renewable energy target, national energy efficiency measures and national standards for power station carbon intensity. They can also buy in to state generation by paying coal plants to close down (as Gillard proposes to do).

But they can’t force measures – like smart meter roll-outs and time-of-use charges – to drive a change in peak power demand, perhaps the biggest single issue impacting user prices through network charges. Nor can they force the privatisation of state-owned businesses. They can’t force the private sector to invest. They don’t control state project planning processes.

Moreover, they may chair the CoAG ministerial council on energy, but it is the group as a whole that has to agree on changes, for example, to the national energy law or the east coast electricity market rules.

What all this boils down to is that an Abbott government will need to work with the Baillieu, O’Farrell and Newman governments – as well as with the other states – to achieve some key changes to electricity supply over the next decade.

No matter how the Greens and their camp followers may howl, two issues dominate the energy supply landscape: reliable delivery of user needs, and prices.

During the tenure of an Abbott government – assuming a huge victory next year and two or three further successes riding on that initial big majority, pretty well the story of his predecessors, Malcolm Fraser and John Howard – it is highly likely that east coast electricity prices will double and that gas prices will too.


http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/energy-policy-state-government-coalition-energy-po-pd20120503-TWRJF?OpenDocument&src=sph

how do these people explain all the price increases we are getting now and have been for ages???

are you looking forward to the 1st July the traditional date for power increases.. the ones they claim we have to have if we want maintenance done. ;D

So will Abbott's Nuclear Agenda lift electricity prices even higher?


Surely Abbott is planning a Nuke Tax ?

____ wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 7:38am:

So will Abbott's Nuclear Agenda lift electricity prices even higher? Surely Abbott is planning a Nuke Tax ?

Private enterprise will save us all from the boogieman......... :D

Swagman wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 9:02am:

____ wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 7:38am: So will Abbott's Nuclear Agenda lift electricity prices even higher? Surely Abbott is planning a Nuke Tax ? Private enterprise will save us all from the boogieman......... :D

You mean like the coal and gas private enterprise whom taxpayers subsidise.

i.e poor little rich Liberal Party leader replacement, Clive Palmer.

Concerned about power bills are we Green boy? Why not put up a topic on power price increases if Greens goon Christine Milne's nightmare comes true.


Quote:

[...] Your senators, Christine Milne and Sarah Hanson-Young, floated rates of $40 and $100 per tonne this week as a possible price on carbon, which would send hard-working Australians' power bills soaring. [...] http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/stop-this-man-ruining-the-nation/story-fn6bn88w-1226059321920

How 'bout a 500% increase Christine? Green boy you have no cred.

salad in wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 9:21am:

Concerned about power bills are we Green boy? Why not put up a topic on power price increases if Greens goon Christine Milne's nightmare comes true. Quote: [...] Your senators, Christine Milne and Sarah Hanson-Young, floated rates of $40 and $100 per tonne this week as a possible price on carbon, which would send hard-working Australians' power bills soaring. [...] http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/stop-this-man-ruining-the-nation/story-fn6bn88w-1226059321920 How 'bout a 500% increase Christine? Green boy you have no cred.

Renewable energies are reducing in cost. While Liberal's Abbott replacement leader and Anti CIA agent, Clive Palmer's cash cow : Coal, isn't going to get cheaper.


Electricity will be cheaper when it's Greener.

____ wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 7:38am:

So will Abbott's Nuclear Agenda lift electricity prices even higher? Surely Abbott is planning a Nuke Tax ?

So what, you were in favour of Nukes, last month...


Quote:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 15th, 2012 at 10:04am: Greens_Win wrote on Apr 15th, 2012 at 9:58am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 15th, 2012 at 9:56am: adelcrow wrote on Apr 15th, 2012 at 9:55am: Even Maggie Thatcher was smart enough to close down the coal mines Didn't the British go with nuclear power? The Neo Cons are scared of pushing nuclear. So looks like Nukes have missed their window of opportunity because of the Hard Right. I think the Greens are more scared of splitting atoms than anyone else... Nuclear would of been the perfect platform for Abbott to gain traction on climate change action. He missed the nuke bus and now is revealed yet again as a AGW science denier. Will Malcolm Turnbull push Nukes when he replaces Abbott.

gizmo_2655 wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 9:34am:

____ wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 7:38am: So will Abbott's Nuclear Agenda lift electricity prices even higher? Surely Abbott is planning a Nuke Tax ? So what, you were in favour of Nukes, last month... Was I? Gee these hard righters are pulling claims out of their butts today. If I recall, I was stirring, not supporting nuke nutters of the hard right. Quote:    Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 15th, 2012 at 10:04am: Greens_Win wrote on Apr 15th, 2012 at 9:58am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 15th, 2012 at 9:56am: adelcrow wrote on Apr 15th, 2012 at 9:55am: Even Maggie Thatcher was smart enough to close down the coal mines Didn't the British go with nuclear power? The Neo Cons are scared of pushing nuclear. So looks like Nukes have missed their window of opportunity because of the Hard Right. I think the Greens are more scared of splitting atoms than anyone else... Nuclear would of been the perfect platform for Abbott to gain traction on climate change action. He missed the nuke bus and now is revealed yet again as a AGW science denier. Will Malcolm Turnbull push Nukes when he replaces Abbott.

A carbon tax will cause a rise in utilities bills for families.

Fact.

Accepted by everyone (who is sane - which may exclude our Kiwi friend).

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 9:48am:

A carbon tax will cause a rise in utilities bills for families. Fact. Accepted by everyone (who is sane - which may exclude our Kiwi friend).

Inaction on AGW/ Renewable Energy will cause Cost of Utilities to Rise for Families.


Abbott wants higher energy costs for all Australians.

____ wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 10:11am:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 9:48am: A carbon tax will cause a rise in utilities bills for families. Fact. Accepted by everyone (who is sane - which may exclude our Kiwi friend). Inaction on AGW/ Renewable Energy will cause Cost of Utilities to Rise for Families. Abbott wants higher energy costs for all Australians.

Carbon tax will cause energy bills to rise.
Fact.

Let's start with a few facts:

1) the article refers to a 100% price rise (double), not 200% (triple)
2) the article is a prediction on prices which have proven to be woeful over last decade
3) the time period is 10-12 years, not next year


Perspective, context and accuracy: the bane of the Greens.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 10:12am:

____ wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 10:11am: Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 9:48am: A carbon tax will cause a rise in utilities bills for families. Fact. Accepted by everyone (who is sane - which may exclude our Kiwi friend). Inaction on AGW/ Renewable Energy will cause Cost of Utilities to Rise for Families. Abbott wants higher energy costs for all Australians. Carbon tax will cause energy bills to rise. Fact.

Not as high as Abbott wants energy costs to rise,


Carbon costs cease once Green energy is carbon neutral.

Clive Palmer's Coal electricity will never be carbon neutral.

So will never be cheap.

There is 130 years worth of coal to use.

What's the rush to change?

It's cheaper than renewables and also if we have no carbon tax we don't need to raise its cost.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 10:22am:

There is 130 years worth of coal to use. What's the rush to change? It's cheaper than renewables and also if we have no carbon tax we don't need to raise its cost.

Coals not cheaper once tax payers stop subsidising Liberal Party's next leader, Clive Palmer and his coal company.

Coal will not outlast solar.

Coal is costing us in health costs, in environmental cost and in missed economic advantage.

If coal is so cheap, demand the billions in subsidies are removed, and let it stand alone.

Then see how expensive coal is.

____ wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 10:21am:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 10:12am: ____ wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 10:11am: Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 9:48am: A carbon tax will cause a rise in utilities bills for families. Fact. Accepted by everyone (who is sane - which may exclude our Kiwi friend). Inaction on AGW/ Renewable Energy will cause Cost of Utilities to Rise for Families. Abbott wants higher energy costs for all Australians. Carbon tax will cause energy bills to rise. Fact. Not as high as Abbott wants energy costs to rise, Carbon costs cease once Green energy is carbon neutral. Clive Palmer's Coal electricity will never be carbon neutral. So will never be cheap.

That was about as dumb and off-topic a post that I have read today. I think you just dont like Abbott and so invent stories about him. Are you a child?

cods wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 7:37am:

how do these people explain all the price increases we are getting now and have been for ages???

You are paying for the subsidy, not for the actual electricity.


"Note that wind turbines produce very little power. Because wind is intermittent, they operate at between one-fifth and one-third of their capacity, meaning they are erratic, unreliable and have to be fully backed up by conventional “black” (mostly coal-fuelled) power. Where the money is to be made is through the REC subsidy. A 3MW wind turbine that generates (at most) $150,000 worth of electricity a year is eligible for guaranteed subsidies of $500,000 a year. A ridgeline hosting 20 or 30 turbines generates very little power—but an awful lot of free cash for those lucky enough to get their snouts in the trough."


(The Australian, requires login)

I am really scared of nuclear power.

Wait no need to be afraid I am made of atoms! Atoms can never harm me!

Incomptinence wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 12:00pm:

I am really scared of nuclear power. Wait no need to be afraid I am made of atoms! Atoms can never harm me!

I grew up near Hinckley Point B, Oldbury and Berekley power stations.
Never an accident, never a scare.

Just low emissions power for the region.

Gee, ain't it bad....
:)

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 12:44pm:

I grew up near Hinckley Point B, Oldbury and Berekley power stations. Never an accident, never a scare. Just low emissions power for the region. Gee, ain't it bad.... :)

Yeah I agree that Nuclear is pretty safe I was being silly. Australia has already been nuked anyway, why worry?
I mostly am against it because I am pretty chuffed with solar power.

Incomptinence wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 12:47pm:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 12:44pm: I grew up near Hinckley Point B, Oldbury and Berekley power stations. Never an accident, never a scare. Just low emissions power for the region. Gee, ain't it bad.... :) Yeah I agree that Nuclear is pretty safe I was being silly. Australia has already been nuked anyway, why worry? I mostly am against it because I am pretty chuffed with solar power.

is that an economic term? how many 'chuffs' does it cost to put Solar PV on your roof?

Andrei.Hicks wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 12:44pm:

Incomptinence wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 12:00pm: I am really scared of nuclear power. Wait no need to be afraid I am made of atoms! Atoms can never harm me! I grew up near Hinckley Point B, Oldbury and Berekley power stations. Never an accident, never a scare. Just low emissions power for the region. Gee, ain't it bad.... :)

Agreed nuclear power is safe but it is far from cheap and when there is an accident it is always a clanger.

There will be no Carbon Tax placed on Australians or economic sanctions placed against Australian jobs and industry for the benefit of our competitors. :) :) :) :)

As old coal fired power stations are replaced with new coal fired power stations under Abbott prices will skyrocket and the problem of co2 pollution will get worse costing even more in decades to come.
Abbott tactics are to lie to and manipulate the public to further his own career and to shift the problem on to the next generation.

Lies...too many lies and too much greed from the Greens,  their motives are transparently sectarian, subversive and fraudulent in everything they do.

corporate_whitey wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 6:38pm:

Lies...too many lies and too much greed from the Greens,  their motives are transparently sectarian, subversive and fraudulent in everything they do.

If you want to pay more later then that's up to you..dirty coal is expensive and will only get more so as resources are used up as demand increases and supplies dwindle.
Clean green renewables wont go up in price at the rate finite fossil fuels will so all you are doing is making life in the future more expensive for yourself and more so for future generations.
Common sense tells us that even if your a denialist that sticking with coal until it inevitably becomes financially unviable and then completely runs out is stupid, shortsighted and very expensive in the long run.
Even an idiot knows a wise man makes changes before he is forced to..not the other way around.

Coal is so good for you.

You can eat it.

_{can't find any record of medical complications from eating coal. therefore it is healthy!}

adelcrow wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 6:51pm:

corporate_whitey wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 6:38pm: Lies...too many lies and too much greed from the Greens,  their motives are transparently sectarian, subversive and fraudulent in everything they do. If you want to pay more later then that's up to you..dirty coal is expensive and will only get more so as resources are used up as demand increases and supplies dwindle. Clean green renewables wont go up in price at the rate finite fossil fuels will so all you are doing is making life in the future more expensive for yourself and more so for future generations. Common sense tells us that even if your a denialist that sticking with coal until it inevitably becomes financially unviable and then completely runs out is stupid, shortsighted and very expensive in the long run. Even an idiot knows a wise man makes changes before he is forced to..not the other way around.

The trouble with you doo gooders is that there is so much more than meets the eye behind everything you propose and all of your causes and all of them somehow enrich you, benefit the rest of the world and screw the vast majority of other Australians, especially the most vulnerable.  Nope, I aint buying your snake oil because is lies.  Its nothing but liberal social progressivism & Darwinism.  I am an agitator, I am someone who loves to say no, I am your worst nightmare...

NO! :) :) :)

HAHA THOSE DIRTY ECO HIPPIES ARE SO NAIVE AND KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MONEY.
==
==>
To
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==>
THE HIPPIES ARE TAKING ALL MY MONEY WAAAA HOW DARE THEY TRY AND RUN BUSINESSES THAT IS FOR THE SLICK WILLY BROWN NOSERS CLUB!

Where consistency where? I think green hippies are a hoax because they changed the description!

Greens = Greedy Corporate Big Business Maggots, brown nosers and 'rse lickers :) :) :) :)

corporate_whitey wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 7:21pm:

Greens = Greedy Corporate Big Business Maggots, brown nosers and 'rse lickers :) :) :) :)

'fraid they might take your job?

Incomptinence wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 7:23pm:

corporate_whitey wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 7:21pm: Greens = Greedy Corporate Big Business Maggots, brown nosers and 'rse lickers :) :) :) :) 'fraid they might take your job?

Yeh, funny about that, I dont see the benefit in letting lying corporate Maggots and 'rselickers sell us out and profit at our expense. :) :) :) :)

corporate_whitey wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 7:27pm:

Yeh, funny about that, I dont see the benefit in letting lying corporate Maggots and 'rselickers sell us out and profit at our expense. :) :) :) :)

Oh boy world burning green hating commie!

We won't let you repeat your Aral sea style desecration you red menace! Write up a five year plan for THINKING you bolshevik burn out.

Are we still debating this? Of course an Abbott Government would be a nightmare. This is common knowledge. It just won't be as bad as a Labor government, apparently.

When liberals are in power everything is perfect and beautiful.

Everything they touch turns to gold, the air is fresher, people smell better, budgies are cheaper and sunsets are prettier. Best of all the lies go down smooth again.

Notice the Maggots don't offer a $300 handout to take in the local homeless and poor - they sleep out in the cold and rain, but the do-gooders wont subsidize them because there is no 'rse-liclkers corporate bonus in it for them. :( :( :( :(

Incomptinence wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 7:48pm:

When liberals are in power everything is perfect and beautiful. Everything they touch turns to gold, the air is fresher, people smell better, budgies are cheaper and sunsets are prettier. Best of all the lies go down smooth again.

Yep the lies are smoother the droughts are longer and the wars are certain, yep got to love the liberals, and there lap dogs. ;D ;D ;D

corporate_whitey wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 8:01pm:

Notice the Maggots don't offer a $300 handout to take in the local homeless and poor - they sleep out in the cold and rain, but the do-gooders wont subsidize them because there is no 'rse-liclkers corporate bonus in it for them. :( :( :( :(

You are free to fill your house up with homeless bums, chronic alcoholics and druggies anytime you like...there is no one stopping you.