Queensland families have been warned to brace for massive hikes in power bills from Labor’s carbon tax.

Deputy Opposition Leader and LNP campaign spokesman Tim Nicholls said it was now crystal clear Labor’s carbon tax would add hundreds of millions of dollars a year to operating costs for power generators – costs that would have to be passed on to consumers.

“There’s absolutely no getting away from the fact that power bills for Queensland families are going to soar and keep soaring under Labor,” Mr Nicholls said.

Mr Nicholls said data from Canberra’s Climate change Department showed that power generators expected to be hit with a carbon tax bill of nearly $4 billion next year.

“That’s $4 billion in costs to their bottom line and $4 billion that will have to come from somewhere – and the obvious place is from consumers’ pockets.”

Mr Nicholls said the Electricity Supply Association of Australia was warning that because of the way the carbon tax and permit would operate – generating companies would be forced to hold positions on $6 billion worth of forward permits.

“The Federal government says loans will be available, but the financing costs will be enormous and consumers will be left with the bill.

“This is another massive Bligh-Gillard Labor mess that’s going to hit us every time we turn on a light, turn on the oven or open the fridge door.”

Mr Nicholls said only the LNP was committed to giving Queensland families full details on the full cost of the carbon tax on their power bills.

“Only the LNP is committed to cutting living costs for Queensland families and restoring frontline, health, education and policing services.

“The CanDo LNP team is offering a strong plan for the future to grow a four-pillar economy and get unemployment down to 4 per cent in six years with significant investments for the Far North and North.

“On March 24 the voters of Queensland get a chance to send a strong signal to Labor on the Carbon Tax broken promise and Labor’s record of escalating power prices.

“It’s time for a change. It’s time to get Queensland back on track.”