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Last chance for consumers to have their say on electricity prices

Last chance for consumers to have their say on electricity prices

Tags: Energy Information FiftyUp Club
Last updated by Chris Zinn on

Consumers have 2 more days to have their say on soaring electricity prices in NSW, before they have their “day in court” on Thursday.

The tribunal regulating competition in Australia is opening its doors to the community and asking them what they think about electricity prices.

The 127,000-member FiftyUp Club is now canvassing consumers’ views and preparing a submission on their behalf.

Over-50’s particularly feel the pinch from hefty electricity bills. More than half (52%) say they are afraid to run their heater for fear of big winter bills.

In the past ten years the only cost that has gone up more than electricity (up 116%) was tobacco (up 127%), but electricity is a basic utility.

“The FiftyUp Club will be fronting the tribunal and will submit the views of its members for consideration in setting electricity prices,” Christopher Zinn, spokesperson for the FiftyUp Club said.

“The over 50’s are hurt most by increases in utilities, like electricity and gas, and any fluctuations can impact on their standard of living.”

“We live in a country where no one should be falling through the cracks in winter or going cold because of financial strain. Unfortunately this is all too common.”

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

The networks argue the cuts will lead to more blackouts and will not allow for adequate bushfire mitigation in regional areas.

There are only days left for consumers to take part in the FiftyUp Club Power Price Submission. Join for free at fiftyupclub.com for more details.

Originally posted on .

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Last chance for consumers to have their say on electricity prices

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Thomas
Thomas from NSW commented:

Question 1- all responses should ideally be 1 

Roger
Roger from NSW commented:

Last week I received a letter from Red Energy saying all my rates (peak, peak1 peak2, peak3, control and service charge), will be going up 10% from 1st August. How can that be when the inflation rate is 2.3%? I thought we were doing away with the gold plated infrastructure and that prices are supposed to be going down with no carbon tax! I know we want to get a good price for the poles and wires but this is over the top. 

Helena
Helena from NSW commented:

We are being held hostage by big business and governed by incompetents. 

Domenic
Domenic from NSW commented:

How come the increases have risen way above CPI. I am a disabled 52 year old who suffers from insomnia and arthritis and I need the heater on in winter for longer periods, yes I do rug up, yes id have electric blankets and yes I do have plenty of blankets but they don't work. my last bill was $789.00 my pension is $675.00 A fortnight, when you take the medication which equals to approx. $165. a fortnight and then we have all the other bills, im having to get advances every 6 months just to catch up. 

Adolf
Adolf from NSW commented:

To save power we open the curtains to let the sun (when it's out) warm the room, at night we put on an extra jumper. In summer we use the awning to keep the sun from the windows and at night we open everything up to let the rooms cool down. We use the aircon only on the rarest occassion. 

Andrew
Andrew from NSW commented:

One question I have for our suppliers is about solar. If prices are increasing will the people who have invested in solar get an increase in the price paid for the excess electricity generated by their system and fed back into the grid for $0.09 per Kw. This is then charged to other customers at $0.29 per Kw. How fair is that? 

John
John from NSW replied to Andrew:

The sooner someone comes up with a reliable and lasting battery system, so we can store the energy we create for our own personal use, the better. 

Warren
Warren from NSW commented:

The recent prices rises and now increases are not fully explained to consumers. An explanation should be demanded for such a quick policy change, smacks of incompetence and lack of planning to me 

Julie
Julie from VIC commented:

I do not have natural gas available in my rural area. I am on a few acres and have to use electricity for heating and for water to be pumped to my home. I can not afford for the continued rise in electricity. 

Warren
Warren from NSW commented:

The reductions do not allow for additional heating, using electricity, for those who have special needs such as the disabled. The price rises always discriminate against pensioners on very low incomes. The price rises are usually one size fits all, however they should be apportioned to those with special needs and very low incomes by way of allowances.The energy companies recently announced a price reduction and now they are asking for an increase,what is going on. Consumers need an explanation at least 

carol
carol from NSW commented:

I object to subsidising people who have put on solar and the wind farms. It is not a fair system. I dread my electricity bill coming and pay some off every pension day. 

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