Asset sales should offset power bills: KAP FORMER Liberal National Party MP Ray Hopper says the Newman government should subsidise rising power bills if it sells off electricity assets. Mr Hopper, who's now the Queensland leader of Katter's Australian Party, has asked Premier Campbell Newman in parliament if he would use money from proposed asset sales to fund subsidies. The Costello audit of the state's finances has recommended selling $25 billion in state electricity assets, including companies, networks and power stations. Mr Hopper asked Mr Newman whether that money would help subsidise "massive power bills" that privatisation would bring to low-income earners and pensioners. "There will no doubt be billions of dollars raised," he said on Tuesday. Speaker Fiona Simpson ruled the question out of order because it was hypothetical. Treasurer Tim Nicholls earlier said a decision on asset sales had not yet been made and there would be a debate on the issue. He promised the government would seek an election mandate before selling public assets. The full report of the audit led by former federal treasurer Peter Costello is yet to be released.