Time is running out for the prime minister to strike a deal as NSW and Queensland warn against any hit to their combined $9 billion in annual coal royalties.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the state received $3.6 billion in coal royalties last financial year and this year “will be much higher given spot prices”.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.“My position has been incredibly clear, we want to work with the federal government to put downward pressure on energy prices. At the same time, though, if there is a situation where caps are in the place that leads to compensation, then I don’t want to see NSW taxpayers having to foot that bill,” he said.
In a radio interview on Monday morning, Albanese vowed to talk through the issue of compensation with state leaders but said the imperative was to find common ground.“I don’t think that there is a premier or chief minister who will sit back and say, ‘Yep, this is all OK’, for prices to continue to rise and projections which are there,” he said.
Victoria also accused Australia’s three big gas exporters of profiteering off Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and ramped up demands for an agreement this week to drive down energy bills for consumers and businesses.Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said it was “just so wrong” that big gas companies were essentially profiting from a war on the other side of the world.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PM contracts COVID for a second timePrime Minister Anthony Albanese has tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time, derailing a planned dinner with state and territory leaders at Kirribilli House in Sydney on Tuesday night | LisaVisentin
Read more »
PM contracts COVID for a second time, national cabinet delayedThe Prime Minister's diagnosis has deraied a planned dinner with state and territory leaders on Tuesday night to discuss a national energy package to cut skyrocketing power bills. auspol covid19 pandemic
Read more »
Albanese reveals COVID-19 diagnosisThe Prime Minister has announced he is isolating but continuing to work from home after again testing positive to COVID-19.
Read more »
Care workers hit back at Matt Hancock’s claim staff brought Covid to care homesMost cases not caused by decision to discharge patients from hospital without testing, says former health secretary
Read more »
Covid fine cancellations underline sense of unfair treatment in western SydneyMove has come as a relief to many families but also damaged the ‘already fragile trust’ communities had in government’s decisions
Read more »
Fears of deadly infection surge as China abandons zero-Covid policyDramatic U-turn following widespread unrest leaves country ill-prepared for Omicron
Read more »