NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has acknowledged that retail energy prices in the state have increased by 20 per cent, despite a reported 50 per cent drop in wholesale electricity prices.
The comments were made during Budget Estimates hearings in response to questioning from NSW Nationals Upper House MP Wes Fang. During the exchange, Minister Sharpe said the price increase was funding Labor’s renewables rollout.
The opposition has criticised the government’s handling of energy policy.
Shadow Minister for Energy James Griffin said energy prices continue to go up under Chris Minns and Penny Sharpe, yet they are unwilling to accept any valid criticism of their energy policies.
“People have every right to be angry at the lack of urgency the Minns Labor Government continues to show for households and businesses that are paying massive energy bills,” Mr Griffin said.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Sinh also called for greater transparency around energy pricing and policy settings.
“People across the Coffs Coast are crying out for cheaper, more reliable energy, and under the Minns Labor Government, they’re getting neither,” Mr Singh said.
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