MEDIA RELEASE - 23 April 2014

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham accused the Energy Minister, Anthony Roberts, of lying about the proposed gas price increases determined by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Minister Roberts’ press release states: “Mr Roberts said that nearly a third of the proposed increase is due to the Carbon Tax, with families left to pay for Labor’s refusal to abolish the tax.”

Page 5 of the IPART report has a table (reproduced below) that clearly shows the carbon price contributing just 0.1 – 1.1% to gas prices in 2014/15.

The IPART Fact Sheet - Changes in regulated gas retail prices from 1 July 2014 states: “All 3 Standard Retailers have included the legislated increase in the carbon price from 1 July 2014. This accounts for a very small share of the increase in prices in 2014/15.” (page 2)

Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202 or 0419 444 916