Queensland’s bright idea that has cost taxpayers $3.2b

Townsville electrician Fil Parisi knows when he is on a good wicket – one of thousands of Queenslanders to take up a generous long-term solar subsidy that analysis reveals has so far cost taxpayers more than $3.2 billion.

For the past decade, Mr Parisi and his wife have not had to pay an electricity bill. In fact, they receive a payment of about $1500 a year from state-owned energy company Ergon for exporting their excess power in to the grid.