Power prices may rise as coal deals are renegotiated but no gold standard transparency

21st February 2023

The Shadow Minister for Energy Dr Steve Thomas says that the problems in the power system in this  state have been highlighted in answers to questions in Parliament that indicate that the Government  has lost control of the coal industry and are scrambling to maintain supply. 

In a series of answers to questions today the Government: 

1. Refused to identify whom they were negotiating with for the extension to the Griffin Coal  State Agreement, or the form of those negotiations. 

2. Said that the price received by Griffin Coal needed to go up, but refused to say by how  much, or what the impacts of those price rises would be on electricity prices for consumers,  or whether the Government would absorb the cost. 

3. Could not tell us whether the price paid to the biggest supplier to coal fired generation – Premier Coal – would also get a price rise, as “no decision has been made on this matter”.  And 

4. Despite indicating there might be a change of ownership of Griffin Coal, could not explain  what that might be or how the Government was involved. 

“The only thing the Government made plain today is that they have lost control of the state’s coal  industry, and either have no idea how to fix it or are so embarrassed they have to keep any hopeful  solution secret” Dr Thomas said. 

“The gold standard transparency promised by the Premier in 2017 is now a standing joke.” 

“The Premier might well be prepared to throw as much money as he needs to in an attempt to hide  the problems, but he needs explain the process.” 

“The Collie Coal (Griffin) State Agreement expires at the end of June, and the Government appears  to be all at sea on how to get it done.” 

“It is no wonder we are importing coal from NSW to Collie. With this level of management, we will  keep doing so for years.” 

Ends.

Media contact: Dr Steve Thomas 0427 908 717