CANEGROWERS said despite the significant recognition of the importance of the regions in driving the Queensland economy, the Palaszczuk Government had missed a clear opportunity to make significant structural changes to reduce electricity prices.
Canegrowers chief executive officer Dan Galligan said addressing electricity affordability for irrigators, in particular, would have helped agricultural industries like sugar production to remain internationally competitive and continue contributing to the wealth of the state.
"The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had pointed the way in recommending a voluntary write-down of the net asset bases of Queensland's network businesses, Ergon and Energex, to address the over-investment that's happened as a result of the guaranteed returns," Mr Galligan said.
"This budget was the perfect time to act on this July 2018 recommendation but it was ignored."
