This week Beattie has released a ‘detailed Electricity Fact Sheet to let Queenslanders know the truth about the power system’ because;
"The public has a right to know exactly what has happened to the power system and what we are doing about it," he said.
The fact sheet will be displayed on the premier’s own web site, which makes it directly accessible to anyone not currently experiencing a blackout.
Additionally the government feels that doubling the number of apprentices will help keep the lights on, with government utility Energex announcing it would be increasing its intake of apprentices this year as part of a strategy to boost its workforce.
Beattie and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson yesterday met with the new intake of 37 apprentices on their first day on the job in Brisbane.
"Today's intake of 37 apprentices takes the number of apprentices hired by Energex this year to 61," Mr Beattie said.
The 61 apprentices Energex has taken on this year compares with 41 last year, and an average of around 30 a year in previous years.
While energy minister Stephen Robertson said that every new recruit is a vital long-term investment in a workforce dedicated to upgrading and improving our electricity network.
The minister for state development and innovation Tony McGrady was in on the PR act, leading a contingent of Brazilian ethanol experts on a road show through Queensland's sugar belt.
McGrady said the Queensland Government, in partnership with Brazil, would hold a series of seminars on ethanol in Bundaberg, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.
Brazilian experts will share their expertise and Ethyl, a green promotional bus, will be fitted out with information to ‘set the record straight about ethanol’.
"The development of a sustainable ethanol industry will benefit not only cane farmers but all Queenslanders.
"With world-wide demand for ethanol growing, and with reports that China and the European Union are discussing buying ethanol from Brazil, the time is right for Queensland to jump into this lucrative market," McGrady said.
"And the world's largest ethanol producers, the Brazilians, are only too willing to help us.
"Brazil already has the technology to enable vehicles to run on 100% ethanol and today in Brazil there is a mandated 24% ethanol blend for motor vehicles,” said McGrady.
All these moves follow last week’s notice of storm upgrades to power lines and maintenance to regional hubs and the release of the damaging Somerville report into the states power industry three weeks ago.
Beattie told Parliament yesterday that, “to ensure the plans are on track before summer, the government will commission an independent audit of implementation in November this year.”
Energex and Ergon will also increase their capital expenditure by 36% this financial year to improve network reliability.
However Beattie has already had to defend plans to remove around $716 million from the state power budget, money that Energex said was necessary for investment in IT systems required to support operations in a new deregulated market.
Beattie claimed the money was never destined for non-essential maintenance and would be better invested in schools and hospitals.
