Power pinch: Neil Mitchell urges Dan Andrews to put people first – not the Greens

Neil Mitchell has urged Daniel Andrews to put people before the Greens as more stories emerge of Australia’s power pinch causing “misery”.

Labor leader Bill Shorten has joined a growing chorus of key figures to say Victoria’s anti-exploration policy is pushing up prices.

“Today there is a message: If your power bill is too high, blame Daniel Andrew. This is not just my assessment, that comes from his (Labor) mates.”
– Neil Mitchell

While it was Liberal Premier Ted Baillieu who applied a moratorium on on-shore gas exploration, Mr Andrews has the ability to lift it.

“We’re not talking about fracking, which is controversial,” Neil said. “This is conventional exploration.”

Australian Energy Council council boss Matthew Warren today told Neil Mitchell untapped gas in the Gippsland Basin would help lower prices.

“It’s an indirect path, but certainly gas prices would be lower if we get more gas into the market,” he said.

Click PLAY above to hear his full comments

Neil Mitchell: “Earlier this year, announcing his fracking ban and defending the moratorium, Daniel Andrews said: “We were elected to put people first and that means supporting Victorian farmers, their families and regional communities by protecting their produce and environment.”

“My cynical suspicion is that it is more to do with keeping the Greens happy and shoring up inner-city seats where the Greens are a threat.

“Whatever the motivation, the Premier should look at his words from months ago: Put people first.

“People like the old lady who can’t use her heating.

“People like the hotel owners whose power bill has gone up $1000 per week in a few months.”