Help us tell the court what electricity consumers really think

Energy security is now a major issue for many Australians. I have continued working past 65 simply to pay the bills. I have no idea how the unemployed or those on basic pensions manage now let alone in the future. One tip is to buy a heated throw to avoid using heaps of electricity to keep warm. 

Electricity is a "must have" in all our lives and we all have to pay whatever is asked as its price. For some (perhaps a lot) that often means "robbing Peter to pay Paul" in one way or another - cutting back on what we have to classify as less essential, such as using electric heaters to keep warm, cutting back on transport costs, cutting back on outings. 

What really infuriates me the most is the HUGE increases in "Service" fees. In Brisbane they have risen from 21.5 cents per day in 2010 to 116.4 cents per day commencing on 1/7/2015. This is an OUTRAGEOUS increase and should be roundly condemned. It is a blatant ripoff! We need to have protests in the streets over these increases because you cannot avoid these unless you go "off grid". You may negotiate a good discount but this generally does not include the "Service" charge. WHAT SERVICE??? 

The politicians told us that power would be cheaper after deregulation. It's gone up every year since ... and pollies wonder why have so little respect for them. They spun the same yarn about water and we have constant increases on that necessity as well. Water is more expensive than petrol. Government wastes taxpayers money with no accountability whatsoever because they are ALL tarred with the same brush. Electricity generators have an unfair monopoly and have no care or consideration for the public so we are sitting here in our jumpers and dressing gowns like everyone else. 

Consumers need reliable and affordable electricity. I also feel that having to pay a daily supply charge is ludicrous, as it should be everyone's right to have an electricity supply, and we should just pay for what we use at a reasonable price. Prices keep increasing, but the income does not increase for those of us who are on pensions or for the majority of the self-funded retirees. 

Unfortunately now we have to be mindful of what we can switch on, in the last 5 years my bills have more than doubled & our son no longer lives at home. Instead of putting the heating on we sit with a blanket wrapped around us on the couch. It's not right that as ageing people we should have to live like this, someone needs to be able to control the exorbitant prices we are being charged. Why can't it be controlled. 

I too am disgusted with my power bill every 3 months. A couple of years ago, I could afford to have my air conditioner on in the evenings during winter, now I sit in the dark with a dressing gown and a blanket around me to keep me warm, (I refuse to turn my t.v. off), it is a shame that those power companies, give themselves those huge salaries, and 'golden handshakes' when they retire, when we pensioners are freezing during winter. It is such a pity that it has been unusually cold this winter, and there is more to come they say! Regarding their supply also leaves a lot to be desired. In the past 3 weeks, I have had 2 blackouts in my house, admittedly only for 20 minutes and another for 45 minutes, but it shouldn't happen, we pay too much now, and the service is not there, we are becoming a Third World Country, what has happened to our country? As a widowed pensioner, my electricity bill is the same as a couple, yet my pension is only half of what I would receive if I was still married! It has become more and more difficult to live, I hope that the Energy Companies take note! Keep it up, "FiftyUp Club! 

The price of utilities are far too high. Even with solar power installed my rebate is 8 cents. It is a joke. There are not enough incentives for households to take on solar power. They are making a profit on my solar power. 

I have $100 per fortnight deducted from my Age Pension to cover the bills, also have deductions for Water & Phone with me paying an amount each fortnight off Council Rates. Doesn't leave much over for other things. Never believe that Coles & woolworths are getting cheaper, there not only on some products that they make a big deal about. 

Renewable energy policy needs to be abandoned, or a separate supply of renewable energy should be offered to those who want it and the rest of the population should be allowed to choose non renewable energy supply free of all renewable subsidies and other charges relating to the foolish renewable energy policies.