Power Failure

In 1886, Thomas Mort pioneered the export of beef – canning and freezing, from Brisbane. Another first for the world. Electricity without blackouts is a critical element in the Smart State mix.

Power generation was the province of the Brisbane City Council Tramways Department until the Southern Electric Authority and then the Queensland Electricity Generating Board took over from 1953. With regular service of turbines on a 2 – 4 year rotation basis at New Farm, Tennyson, Howard, Rockhampton, Tully, etc, power was reliable.

In the early 1980’s Hon. Fred Campbell of Albany Creek as the Minister of State responsible for Industrial Development and Power, was the first Portfolio Minister ever to walk through the doors of Trades Hall.

Within days a major conflict was resolved and workers agreed, via Trades Hall icon, Jack Edgerton, that no disruption of power would occur and the Minister entered into a written agreement.

Sir Joh rebuked his Minister, and the power shedding and bitter SEQEB strikes are still a living memory with mass sackings and loss of workers’ super benefits.

Do we ever learn?

When 95% of a profit is remitted to shareholders of any enterprise, no company can expand, maintain it’s service levels or it’s market share.

Our society has great reliance on fridges, DVD’s, freezers, air conditioners, even TV, so that the spin doctors can get their PR message across.

Premier Peter Beattie firmly has the controls and was a prominent union player in the 1980’s strike. The public have little interest in how the National Grid works, how Energex competes and why the power profits have been diverted.

Since GST, the states have windfall income. If power can’t be guaranteed for, as example, the 140,000 residents of Pine Shire, how can the Shire cope in the future?

Like pioneer exporter, Thomas Mort, Peter Campbell Realty pioneered the first real estate agency in Albany Creek. Contact the only independent that is part of the district’s historical past and part of the present and future.

Contact Peter 0418 774 663
peter@petercampbellrealty.com

TO RENT, BUY OR SELL
PETER CAMPBELL 0418 774 663