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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

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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Help us tell the court what electricity consumers really think

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Roger
Roger from NSW commented:

The over 55 people need to get organized, we need a strong political voice, we have the numbers, lets take it up to them, don't lay down, enough is enough, thank heavens for the Fifty Up Club, what about it fellows, you have the education and the clout, and no how. Regards Roger 

Roger
Roger from NSW commented:

Its an absolute disgrace that here is Australia electricity is now a luxury item, what's next, privatization is about profit, not people, shame on Australia for letting this happen, are we now a 3rd world country. Regards Roger 

alba
alba from NSW commented:

pensioners that pay rent is really hard to pay electricity or gas bills , we have to do a small shopping ,, in other to save to pay those bills and is every time the pension is deposit so and then is not enough ,ok thank you i told my opinion in this matter ,, 

Christine
Christine from QLD commented:

Thanks for going to bat for all pensioners . 

Craig
Craig from VIC commented:

Cap electricity it's gone up far to much who regulating the prices these wankers are charging us I'm piss off you elect government but do we really get a say no we just cop it sweet God knows how where going to manage in the future to pay bills. What do the rich think is going to happen like a block said on radio the other day he works but steals also to make ends meet that's right we will all suffer as a community . 

Ruth
Ruth from NSW commented:

Electricity should not be a luxury. Affordability is absolutely essential in a first world country. 

James
James from QLD commented:

Put on solar panels and immediately AGL cut my discount, my bill has not gone down and in fact is getting higher mainly due to the rip off service charges. Looking for a company that offers a better deal then them. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to James:

Vote for The Greens and get paid 40 to 50 cents /kWh you feed the grid with... Why rant? ACT !!! 

Warren
Warren from NSW commented:

Those days when rebates for solar were 0.60cent/kWh under Labor/Greens were unsustainable and was canned soon thereafter. A stupid suggestion NSW 'A'. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Warren:

B S, u r brainwashed ! 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Tell me ONE thing the coalition has done well, Warren... Time to forget your conservatism and move forward, into the 21st century, forget the 1950's mate (yes, I know, I am not ur mate, u fascist...)... 

James
James from QLD commented:

If you want to call people name A from NSW do not use my thread please. People will start to think I have the same bad manners. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to James:

"Bad manners"? Voting for fascists IS "bad manners", look at the mess the country is in, now! 

James
James from QLD commented:

I doubt you even know what a fascist is you messed up greenie. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to James:

NOT giving MPs a conscience vote on same-sex marriage for example, IS fascism... 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to James:

The Collins Dictionary defines fascism thus: n 1 any doctrine, system or practice regarded as authoritarian, militaristic, chauvinistic or extremely right wing. Expanding on this, a fascist government: has a strong leader or small group of leaders with psychopathic tendencies; rules by fiat and slogan; has a culture of lying; defines and maintains an underclass while redistributing wealth and power to an elite; filters information so that the government only receives advice it wants to hear; controls the media; is nationalistic and militaristic; is a poor world neighbour; takes over industry and commerce. 

Ann
Ann from NSW commented:

Would like to see less investment in wind power. Less credits for Solar buy back schemes and fair price for everyone. Might help if all providers promoted Off Peak times more openly too. Maybe radio announcement: "Turn off your Dryer now!" 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Ann:

Move to ALL renewable as The Greens would do it and SAVE SAVE SAVE... The whole current 'system' of delivery of power is C-O-R-R-U-P-T... 

Zohrab
Zohrab from NSW commented:

We have sold our dishwasher and have stopped using the tumble dryer. Furthermore, we have not ONCE switched the reverse cycle air conditioning for heating, even though it's been freezing. Marleine from NSW 

Joan
Joan from QLD commented:

Despite the crowing by politicians about the carbon tax removal reducing the electricity bills, I have yet to meet anyone who has noticed a reduction in their power bill as the supply charge shot up remarkably without any challenge and now the electricity charges are rising again. 

Ken
Ken from NSW replied to Joan:

Sorry , Joan , but the costs have come down since the removal of the carbon tax. 

Warren
Warren from NSW replied to Ken:

Quite right Ken, and they even retained the 'rebate' for pensioners ongoing. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Ken:

Not for your children, grand children, THEY are the ones who will 'kick the can', big time ! 

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