Time to Flip the Script: When Government Monopoly Plays the Corporate Greed Game

So, it turns out that the biggest player in Queensland’s energy market isn’t just another faceless corporation—it’s the government itself. Yep, you heard that right. Energy Queensland—Australia’s largest, wholly government-owned electricity company—has taken a page straight out of the corporate greed playbook. But here’s the kicker: they’re not just playing the game; they’re perfecting it.

Let’s connect the dots. Energy Queensland, formed from the 2016 merger of Ergon Energy and Energex, isn’t just responsible for keeping the lights on. They’re also the ones quietly pocketing that eye-watering 24.26% in “service fees” that’s making your monthly energy bill look more like a ransom note. These fees aren’t just a minor inconvenience—they’re a blatant cash grab, orchestrated by the very entity that should be protecting you from exactly this kind of exploitation.

You might think government ownership would mean fairer prices, more transparency, and a commitment to serving the public interest. Think again. What we’re seeing is a government monopoly that’s decided to outdo the private sector in squeezing every last cent out of its customers. It’s like the government saw the playbook on corporate greed and thought, “We can do better!”

With Energy Queensland at the helm, this isn’t just a case of poor oversight or a few bad apples. This is a deliberate strategy—a full-scale operation where the government, through its subsidiaries like Ergon Energy Network and Energex, has weaponized its monopoly power to milk Queenslanders dry.

Let’s break it down. That 24.26% service fee you’re paying? It’s not some small administrative cost or a fair charge for services rendered. It’s a cleverly disguised way to boost revenue without having to raise official prices—a move that would, of course, draw public scrutiny and political backlash.

And who’s really footing the bill? Pensioners, small businesses, and everyday Australians who are already struggling with the rising cost of living. Meanwhile, Energy Queensland’s leadership and the politicians who oversee this operation sit back, enjoying the profits and patting themselves on the back for a job well done.

Let’s call this what it is: a betrayal of public trust. When a government-owned entity uses its monopoly to gouge the very citizens it’s supposed to serve, it’s no longer about public service—it’s about public exploitation.

And here’s the twist: the government isn’t just complicit in this; it’s the mastermind. By hiding behind the veneer of a public corporation, they’ve effectively shielded themselves from accountability, all while reaping the financial rewards of corporate-style greed.

• Why is a government-owned corporation acting like the worst kind of corporate predator?
• Who’s really benefiting from these inflated service fees? Is it going into public services, or just into padding the books?
• Where’s the oversight? Who’s holding Energy Queensland accountable for price gouging?
• Why aren’t politicians stepping in to stop this? Could it be because they’re profiting too, in ways we can’t yet see?

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Endgame: Force a public reckoning. This isn’t just about energy bills; it’s about holding the government accountable for turning its monopoly power against the very people it’s supposed to serve. The government wanted to play the corporate greed game? Fine. Now it’s time to show them what public accountability looks like.

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