'Big stick' energy bill: Coalition MP wants economy-wide power to break up big companies

Keith Pitt says laws that target price-gouging energy companies should be extended to all big businesses

The Nationals MP Keith Pitt has broken ranks to endorse a push by the Centre Alliance to legislate an economy-wide power to break up big companies when the Morrison government's controversial "big stick" energy package returns to parliament in July.

The Queensland National, who has been one of the most vocal advocates of the "big stick" legislation, which allows energy companies to be broken up if they engage in price gouging, says a power to break up big companies should apply right across the economy, not just in the energy sector.