State Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson is calling for support for an e-petition to Save Our Sparkies and protect local businesses.
Ms Simpson said the Labor Government was planning to create a new government-owned business which would compete against local sparkies by offering a range of electrical services such as smart meter and solar panel installation.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is turning its back on small business with this plan, which would be disastrous for local licensed electricians,” Ms Simpson said.
“I’m asking our local community to help Save Our Sparkies by signing the petition to tell Labor to stop this plan which would put our local sparkies’ jobs at risk.”
Shadow Minister for Small Business and Employment, Tim Nicholls condemned the plan saying there is no demonstrated need for a government sponsored and taxpayer funded monolith.
“Labor’s crazy plan to merge Energex with Ergon and then allow the new company to unfairly bid against sparkies for bread and butter electrical work shows the contempt they have for small business, Mr Nicholls said.
“Labor jumps to attention when the ETU calls but couldn’t care less about the damage they will do to sparkies across the state.”
Shadow Minister for Energy, Andrew Powell said the Labor government could require government
agencies to use the merged electricity company rather than their local sparky.
“Will we now see Labor direct all government departments to use this government-owned, taxpayer-funded monstrosity putting hundreds of small business and the families that run them at risk?” Mr Powell said.
Vince Whelan of Whelan Electrical Services in Yandina is concerned about the impact of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s plan.
“An entity comprised of a merger between two large distribution businesses entering this market is an undeniable threat to the survival of the smaller electrical contracting businesses,” Mr Whelan said.
“This could have a devastating impact on the survival of many small businesses throughout Queensland.”
“Please do all in your power to prevent this threat to the survival of our small electrical contracting business which has been operating on the Sunshine Coast for 44 years,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to sign the petition at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-asembly/petitions/e-petitions” Ms Simpson said.