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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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Gary
Gary from NSW commented:

My support for the current state government should not be taken for granted. I am not happy. 

Someone
Someone commented:

I took the offer of the rebate when it was offered and used savings to install 4kwatt solar. That should be paid by next year depending on the weather. After that then it is ROI. AND if you believe the hype about Man Made Global Warming (which I don't) I am helping to save the planet which gives me a nice warm and fuzzy feeling. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

You know better than the 400 scientists experts in their fields! I am impressed when old farts know it all... 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

Apart from seeming to be a vulgar narrow minded person, you want to expand the scope of your narrow thinking. As for believing the 400 experts in their fields! For starters, suggest you look up:- Ian Plimer is an Australian geologist, professor emeritus of earth sciences at the University of Melbourne, professor of mining geology at the University of Adelaide, and the director of multiple mineral exploration and mining companies. He has published 130 scientific papers, six books and edited the Encyclopedia of Geology. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Stop listening to 2GB crap... The poles are melting and the air is getting warmer year after year. End of the human race (thru sheer lack of food) some predict... 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

... for 2040!!! 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

... and that is when I really LOVE John Singleton and his 2GB radio station, his FiftyUp club: they allow my comments herein ! Again THANK YOU, JOHN (must be a great individual our millionaire...) you and your partners in crime are simply CLEVER! 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

... good to see that 'freedom of speech' is alive and well! When we will have lost it, then we will be seriously 'doomed', of course... 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

SIMPLE, Anon from Qld; vote for The Greens or there won't be a planet to live on for your descendants, I've spent 45 years of my short life studying the planet, its climate and the stupid individuals on it, my results are unequivocal ... 

Warren
Warren from NSW commented:

If you've studied the planet for 45 years, how come you come up with spurious data and nonsensical voting recommendations. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Warren:

Do you know what a troll is? The cumulative effect of being an old fart and a troll makes you undesirable in here, you do not bring anything to the debate, Hitler would be proud of you. 

Bruce
Bruce from NSW commented:

Dear Anonymous I am not entering into a political debate I was stating a fact. I own a holiday house as well as my primary residence and the service fee is more than two thirds of my quarterly bill it has got nothing to do with greed or politics. 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

More needs to be done to encourage solar..... 

Alan
Alan from NSW commented:

As we reduce consumption suppliers will increase charges to maintain profit levels unless forced by competion or regulation to find efficiencies in their supply costs 

steve
steve from SA commented:

Cant wait for next elections maybe I will vote greens but I think they are all like snakes , some kill you quick others kill you slow! 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

'Renewable energies' under the coalition (or Labor) is a DIRTY WORD, it is not part of their ultra liberal, ultra capitalist view on 'things, it is not the same as 'Renewable energies' under The Greens, the dedicated party to such cheaper and less polluting energies, please understand the difference... 

Marilyn
Marilyn from NSW commented:

installing 16 solar panelsl has not resulted in any significant 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Marilyn:

of course not, Marilyn, please, read above (and vote smartly...)... 

Keith
Keith from NSW commented:

Chris .... FYI I am 78 ....worked till a health problem forced me to retire and now on a part pension Today I heard on the radio (2GB) that the suppliers are rolling out the new "smart meters ". From what I have read and heard the power bill will by approx 20% ..... 1. this will pay for the new meter 2 increase the profitability of the energy providers So much for the politicians telling us there will be no price increases ...they are aware of the "advantages" to be gained with the smart meters .... conned again Keith Morden 

Trevor
Trevor from QLD commented:

A lot of these price hikes stem from the Queensland labor leader, smiling Peter Beattie that robbed the electricity commission of their profits instead of letting them use it for infrastructure. THANKS LABOR. Trevor 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Trevor:

Vote The Greens! 

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