So the Queensland Energy Minister has "suggested" another increase in Electricity charges of 13.6%, the third increase in the 3 years since the Queensland Government Deregulated the Industry, at which time it was stated that "Derugulation" would apply "downward pressure" to Electricity prices in Qld!.....( and the Pope is going to become a Protestant!)

This is another typical example of the treatment that consumers get when virtually every originally taxpayer-funded piece of the infrastructure is privatized or partially privatized by unscrupulous politicians intent on buttering the palms of their mates.

Come on Geoff Wilson, you damned well know that any "suggestion" will result in a price increase for the already suffering consumers, most of whom are having to try to survive on a lot less income than you and your publicly-pursed parasitic mates in Parliament.

This Queensland Government does not know which direction it is headed in, let alone the "suggested" direction of it`s partially-privatized revenue-raising Electricity Generating "utility"!....( beats Poker Machines and there is no known treatment for this "addiction"!

The Taxpayers of this State are sick and tired of all the mealy-mouthed assurances that we are going from "strength to strength" whilst this Government has embarked on every shonky method available to it to cream more money from a very disillusioned community, who have been financially vandalized at every turn and end by a Cabinet who will resort to any method in the book to carve it`s name in political and public blood!

Residents living in the country areas of S.E.Qld are still plagued with very regular power outages, which do nothing in the long term other than boost the coffers of the Electricity Companies, whilst creating increasing anger from the consumers!

Bring on the State Election while we can at least afford to walk to the Polling Booth!

Sympathies to Queenslanders cuphandle.

The many myths surrounding privatisation such as 'downward pressure' on prices is laughable but the proponents keep trotting out the same ol' same ol' animal dung each time. Hopefully these mutterings will be visited apon at election time but if it is the other side they are going for the situation won't change.

Voters will have to be braver and go for the minor parties and good independents if they want real change on this (and other) issues.

pelican:

You are dead right. I for one will certainly be voting for the minor parties or Independents,.....the other clowns have had plenty of chances and have blown it every time,....where are they now other than criticizing, back-stabbing and generally making a nuisance of themselves, instead of concentrating on laying a sound foundation to instill a bit of confidence in the electorate, which could help them to attain Government again at the next election,.... but again they just don`t have the brains to realise what is needed and consequently let it all slip away!

It is a pretty bad situation when both major parties are failing the electorate,.....makes you wonder why we are paying them the ridiculous salaries and superannuation when for most of the time they are giving relatively little in return.

Most people in the community are not aware of the fact, but in Parliament when "questions on notice" are asked of the pollies, the answer in most cases is supplied by a parliamentary adviser, so that the "smart" pollie can read it off the paper, appearing to be a lot smarter than he or she really is!......it is all a matter of blowing smoke up the back end, with the aid of lights, whistles and mirrors!

Another very annoying habit that pervades both Houses across the nation, is the "well seasoned" pollie, when replying to a question, must REPEAT a statement two or three times, ( indicating that in his opinion both his opponent and the general public that are watching or listening, are simply "thick as two short planks!")....a very pathetic habit that needs reform!

Remember Fireworks Night? That exciting night on the 5th of November when we carried on a 400 year old tradition of celebrating the night when a group of people decided to blow up the entire sitting House in London. (No wonder the pollies eventually got rid of it!)

Not saying that killing people is the way to go, but, right about now, a person can easily understand the frustration with the whole lot of 'em that impelled Mr. Faulkes and his co-conspirators!

I hear y'all loud and clear.

Have voted Green and/or Independents for many years now as I recognised that neither party appeared to have Australia's interest as first priority - particularly in Howard's case where ideology trumped common sense.

Still prepared to give Kevin more time, but won't be voting for 'em. Wish that preferences could be done away with completely.

What we need is balance between private and public organisations - too much of either leads to problems. And my favourite bugbear - a ban on monopolies so consumers can exercise real choice.

If you think the imposts are tough now, wait until we all start paying the impost for the carbon emmissions tax, presently scheduled for 2010