Qld sparkies fear state energy business

Electricians have accused the Queensland government of an abuse of market power by allowing power distributors Ergon and Energex to create a state-owned energy business offering retail services.

Master Electricians Australia fear that mum and dad electrical contractors will go broke or be forced out of a crowded market if the new merged entity was allowed to operate as expected in the coming months.

"This would be a very serious abuse of market power should the State Government allow it to go ahead," said MEA chief executive Malcolm Richards.

"This is akin to the government funding Woolworths to move in and smash the local corner store."