NSW Premier Kristina Keneally has asked state opposition for more details on its proposal to introduce a common electricity rate for the whole of NSW.

The NSW Coalition has suggested a common price to make the system fairer, since there is a great difference in electricity prices between Sydney’s east and west, markedly so between metropolitan and regional areas.

Welcoming the proposal Monday, Keneally said the opposition needed to put ‘some flesh around the bones’.

Keneally wants to know whether opposition has promised the abolition of IPART, and whether they are suggesting increasing electricity prices in Sydney and lowering them elsewhere? As well, she would like to know if there is a plan to provide direct subsidy, or for the merging of utilities. She believes what opposition is proposing cannot be achieved without one or the other of the above.

There is a 38% difference between the cheapest and most expensive energy tariffs, with regional users being the worst off, which means it would be worth examining to see whether there was a way to ensure a fairer system.

As well. Keneally said the NSW government will also examine a proposal of delaying high school start times, in a bid to reduce congestion on Sydney’s roads.

The Sydney Business Chamber has asked for a one hour delay in starting of daily high school classes, which will help free up trains and buses, including reducing road congestion during morning peak hours.

According to Keneally, schools already have the responsibility of setting class times, while the Board of Studies determines the number of hours to be spent in the classroom.