9 December 2009
Farmers applaud bold electricity reform
Federated Farmers has applauded the bold proposals to reform the New Zealand electricity market which are likely to make
the market more consumer friendly.
“These are bold changes and some of the ideas go further than what we suggested in our submission back in August,” says
Philip York, Federated Farmers electricity spokesperson.
“There’s no doubt something had to be done as, in recent years, farmers and other consumers have suffered from massive
increases to electricity prices.
“These proposals may just be the answer. They are actually very consumer friendly and I think we can give the Government
a big thumbs-up. The Hon Gerry Brownlee MP also deserves due recognition.
“We welcome the transfer of grid approvals to the Commerce Commission. The Commission has previously indicated to
Federated Farmers that there’s no impediment to Transpower making annual payments for electricity transmission assets.
“Our recently released NZIER report reinforces the need for improved compensation and we are buoyed that the way forward
for this is being cleared. Federated Farmers is very keen to work with both the Commission and the Government on how
this can be achieved.
“We see the other changes as very important for creating vital competition and we welcome the opportunity this
competition will provide.
“We now look forward to speaking with Mr Brownlee about improving goodwill in the rural sector as a result of these bold
proposals,” Mr York concluded
ENDS