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NewsHelp us tell the court what electricity consumers really think
Help us tell the court what electricity consumers really think

Help us tell the court what electricity consumers really think

Tags: FiftyUp Club
Last updated by Chris Zinn on

It’s crunch time for the future of your power bills and the difference this time is we can do something about it by collecting together our views.

If you’re fed up, as I believe many of us are, with others deciding what is in our best interests we are in a position as rarely before to let them hear it from the horses’ mouth.

Networks NSW is fighting power price cuts of $106-$313 proposed by the national Energy Regulator, saying they are not in consumers’ long-term interests.

The Australian Competition Tribunal has been hearing opposing arguments, but the court is yet to hear from consumers themselves and this is where you come in.

It’s fair enough for elders to dictate what might be in kid’s best interests, as any parent knows, but surely in FiftyUp we are savvy enough to speak for ourselves and with some authority.

A recent FiftyUp Club survey found some shocking results, with more than half saying they were afraid to run their heater in mid-winter. 

Those results will form part of our submission to the court hearing the legal battle.

But now, there’s one more piece we need to add to the puzzle:

What is in the long-term interests of consumers when it comes to setting power prices? Safety? Affordability? Reliability?

Have regulators got the balance right in recent years?

The court has been debating these questions the past week and we want to ask real consumers what THEY think.

Consumers over the age of fifty represent more than 50% of national household buying power and are heavily affected by power price fluctuations.

Who knows? You might have a different view to the lawyers currently making this decision on our behalf. Only you can tell us the answer to that.

The court must decide the right level of investment in the poles and wires. No one wants to see important assets run down, but all investment is funded through your bills, so it’s important to get the balance right. 

Fill in this short questionnaire and we’ll make sure your voice is heard in the current court battle over power prices.

We will be providing your answers directly to the Judge who will make the final decision. 

But first, we need 1000s of you to have your say:

Click Here to answer 5 key questions for the court

Then continue the conversation in the forum below.

 

Originally posted on .

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FiftyUp Club
Help us tell the court what electricity consumers really think

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Natascha
Natascha from QLD commented:

Aside from the fact that each power bill scares me to death I do not understand the fluctuations?? I live alone, work full time and my 3 monthly bill is either around 270 or 400+ dollars? Maybe my little dog throws parties while I'm at work! 

Trevor
Trevor from QLD commented:

What happens when the sun goes down? 

Trevor
Trevor from QLD commented:

To the faceless person, greens are in bed with labor and their policies are not viable. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Trevor:

WRONG! What about the $30 increase for the poorest pensioners, who are The Greens in bed with? 

Julie
Julie from VIC commented:

Was not happy when the SEC was sold and we were left to the mercy of electricity companies. There is not the service or care provided from all these new companies. The public was told there would be 'competition' and therefore cheaper electricity prices. What a joke! Thank you FiftyUp for fighting for the causes and I will continue to support you in this. 

John
John from NSW commented:

Appreciate the good work FiftyUp club are doing to help the ageing public. 

Maureen
Maureen from NSW commented:

We have looked into solar power and been told that they wouldn't be able to fit enough panels on our roof (4 bedroom house) to make a difference. There is only 2 of us living here now and we don't use heating in winter until we are cold with jackets and blankets on and don't use cooling until we are sweltering. With the cost of our electricity bills my husband and I are scared to retire. The thought of trying to pay for electricity on the pension is TERRIFYING. 

Jeanie
Jeanie from NSW commented:

I anticipate each monthly bill with more and more and more dread as each one exceeds the last. 

Colleen
Colleen from NSW commented:

We paid to have solar panels put on thinking that we would not have to pay for Electricity for quite a while but it hasn't helped. The only way we don't have to pay large bills is not to run air-conditioning in summer and heating in winter. 

John
John from NSW commented:

I can't use solar panels because of a large tree in our yard. So I am at the mercy of the power companies. 

Ron
Ron from NSW commented:

We need strong representation (with teeth) to look after the interests of consumers. Governments and suppliers are consumed by pursuing their own interests and don't really care about their customers. 

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