The Queensland state government has emerged as the latest thorn in the side of what is left of the government’s “big stick” energy legislation, warning it could lead to the unpopular privatisation of state-owned assets. Queensland’s energy minister, Anthony Lynham, has called on the federal government to bring its much vaunted energy market misconduct bill to the next state energy ministers meeting for discussion. One proposal is a $6bn plan by power baron Trevor St Baker for two new coal power plants. The underwriting program, as well as the “big stick” legislation, has been blasted by a number of stakeholders. Queensland voters are particularly averse to privatisation, voting out both major parties in the wake of privatisation programs.

Source: The Guardian January 31, 2019 16:52 UTC