IT’S little wonder energy markets around the world have created headaches for governments .As markets go they are about as complicated as you can get.
IT’S little wonder energy markets around the world have created headaches for governments .
As markets go they are about as complicated as you can get.
Energy usage varies significantly throughout the day, leaving it difficult to economically provide for the whole market.
However, that’s no excuse for putting off reform or blundering into bad policy.
Western Power chief David Eiszele is right when he says there will be winners and losers.
You can be sure this is not just the customers. On both sides of the debate, there are plenty of people who are playing a patient game to get what they want.
Those in the energy business are used to planning for the future, often thinking in terms of decades rather than the few years or even months our political leaders have to deal with.
It is important that their interests don’t override the long term interests of the State.
Outside WA there is plenty of experience in both good reform and catastrophe. The latter has had significant airplay and left us all plenty to think about.
There are also lessons in other industries and across history – mainly that any change from tight control to deregulation creates pain.
And someone always seems to emerge triumphant.
However, the State Government has been pretty clear it believes in reform.
It has chosen a task force of people to get on with the job.
We will all know who is responsible if we are living in darkness in a few years time.
Home front
THERE’S nothing like a tax debate to rile Australians.
The new premier property land tax is stirring up a hornet’s nest, mainly because most people see it for what it is ... the thin edge of the wedge.
The rich might seem like an easy target, but there are plenty of people who aspire to wealth who are just as concerned as those who have already got it.
And, as society changes and traditional barriers break down, more and more traditional Labor voters are also finding their opportunities to make it.
Young scientists, tradesmen, even rough and tumble trade union bosses can earn a fortune these days.
That was simply not possible a few decades ago when a tax based on jealousy might have easily won over the masses.
It will be interesting to see where this one ends up.
Plane talking
THE airline debacle is proving how partial regulation is a flop.
And WA is the biggest loser with our isolation and small market .
Under real deregulation, Perth may well have had the cheapest Australian air prices if international carriers were able to pick up and drop off passengers during stopovers.
That would also make WA a more palatable market for global carriers and could well prove a boon to the local tourism industry.
Instead we have had a comical attempt at domestic competition which has collectively lost billions of dollars during the past 10 years, not to mention a few air miles.
As markets go they are about as complicated as you can get.
Energy usage varies significantly throughout the day, leaving it difficult to economically provide for the whole market.
However, that’s no excuse for putting off reform or blundering into bad policy.
Western Power chief David Eiszele is right when he says there will be winners and losers.
You can be sure this is not just the customers. On both sides of the debate, there are plenty of people who are playing a patient game to get what they want.
Those in the energy business are used to planning for the future, often thinking in terms of decades rather than the few years or even months our political leaders have to deal with.
It is important that their interests don’t override the long term interests of the State.
Outside WA there is plenty of experience in both good reform and catastrophe. The latter has had significant airplay and left us all plenty to think about.
There are also lessons in other industries and across history – mainly that any change from tight control to deregulation creates pain.
And someone always seems to emerge triumphant.
However, the State Government has been pretty clear it believes in reform.
It has chosen a task force of people to get on with the job.
We will all know who is responsible if we are living in darkness in a few years time.
Home front
THERE’S nothing like a tax debate to rile Australians.
The new premier property land tax is stirring up a hornet’s nest, mainly because most people see it for what it is ... the thin edge of the wedge.
The rich might seem like an easy target, but there are plenty of people who aspire to wealth who are just as concerned as those who have already got it.
And, as society changes and traditional barriers break down, more and more traditional Labor voters are also finding their opportunities to make it.
Young scientists, tradesmen, even rough and tumble trade union bosses can earn a fortune these days.
That was simply not possible a few decades ago when a tax based on jealousy might have easily won over the masses.
It will be interesting to see where this one ends up.
Plane talking
THE airline debacle is proving how partial regulation is a flop.
And WA is the biggest loser with our isolation and small market .
Under real deregulation, Perth may well have had the cheapest Australian air prices if international carriers were able to pick up and drop off passengers during stopovers.
That would also make WA a more palatable market for global carriers and could well prove a boon to the local tourism industry.
Instead we have had a comical attempt at domestic competition which has collectively lost billions of dollars during the past 10 years, not to mention a few air miles.
