But the opposition is crying foul over the decision, saying the government “should be helping people with cost of living, not scrapping a successful program that can save families money on their power bills”. In a media release issued this afternoon, Environment Minister Powell said the ClimateSmart Home Service would cease taking bookings tonight, with the closure of the scheme set to save the government millions. “This is a clear example of this government’s commitment to find real savings this financial year from taxpayer-funded programs,” Mr Powell said. “By closing the program seven months early, we will save taxpayers up to $5 million. This is all part of the government’s plan to get this state back on track.” According to the ClimateSmart Home Service website, residents were about to get $400 of value for just $50.

Under the latest version of the scheme, residents could receive a set of four stand-by eliminators with a remote control; a household power assessment by a licensed electrician; and an installed wireless power monitor. Residents who signed up were also offered up to five free power saving compact fluorescent light globes and a free water- and power-saving shower head, supplied and installed where suitable. Mr Powell acknowledged the initial popularity of the scheme, saying more than 335,000 households across Queensland had received the service since January 2009. However, he said ongoing demand for the program had declined substantially in recent times and with fewer customers signing up, delivery of the service was becoming more expensive. Mr Powell said customers who had already booked a service would have that booking honoured, as with all warranties associated with the products and services provided.

“The call centre will be taking bookings until 7pm tonight. Alternatively, bookings can be made online until midnight tonight,” he said. Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said by pulling the plug on the successful ClimateSmart Home Service, Mr Newman had “thrown about 150 hard-working electricians and staff on the scrap heap”. “This decision will deny almost 100,000 families the chance to reduce their power bills, for the sake of saving just $5 million,” she said in a statement. “Mr Newman has also axed a program that can save families up to $480 a year on their power bills, restricting their ability to ease their cost-of-living pressures.” But Master Electricians Australia backed the decision to wind up the service, saying the ClimateSmart scheme was “cleverly designed to appeal to voters with gimmicks, such as energy meters and ‘smart’ power boards”.

“However, in terms of actual reductions in energy use, Master Electricians has long been of the view that this scheme was achieving very little for Queensland taxpayers,” chief executive officer Malcolm Richards said in a statement. “We had reports of electricians being on site for as little as 15 minutes to conduct the so-called energy audits, and many cases of homeowners who never received their promised energy use reports.” The Newman government has argued it needs to save money to help fund its efforts to revitalise frontline services and cut the cost-of-living for families while bringing the state's finances under control. Loading On Monday, Premier Campbell Newman confirmed he would push ahead with plans to freeze the standard domestic tariff next financial year in a bid to save people money on their power bills.

However, Mr Newman conceded some households would actually be paying more than they otherwise would have because of his decision to shelve reforms to the tariff system proposed by the Queensland Competition Authority.