South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis’ announcement that he is referring the surge in electricity prices in South Australia to ESCOSA is a desperate attempt to deflect responsibility for the Weatherill Government’s failed energy policies.

“We already know why electricity prices are surging in South Australia – the Weatherill Government’s foolish head long rush to wind power without storage that has driven reliable and affordable base load power out of the market,” said Shadow Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Dan van Holst Pellekaan.

“The real question is what is the Weatherill Government going to do to correct the problems it has created and put downward pressure on electricity prices.

“It is ironic that having only in 2013 taken away ESCOSA’s power to control electricity prices the Treasurer now wants that organisation to inquire into why prices have surged.

“The uncomfortable truth is all South Australians are paying for the Weatherill Government’s failed electricity policy.

“The Weatherill Government’s failed energy prices are directly contributing to South Australia’s higher unemployment rate.”