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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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Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

I believe ' honesty' in leadership is a thing of the past.Trying to make us feel guilty regarding a lie concocted by telling us were causing sea levels to rise and global warming . Using this as a `good excuse to extract more from the regular battler and the poor to feed the greedy self appointed " experts ". I believe we never have and never will be able to effect what the weather does. Who do we think we are? God.... We need fearless leadership. 

Deanna Judith
Deanna Judith from NSW commented:

Would like someone to help me find a suitable package for my health fund, PLEASE. 

mary
mary from NSW commented:

Hi Nerrel,I can assure you that each of my bills were actuals not guesstimates.What you are requesting is smart meters.Not for me thanks,they charge extra during peak times "6am to 10pm".This is what I have heard. 

Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

We have the richest country in the world with the natural fuel commodity COAL. Unfortunately Al Gore decided to make a biased movie that the average person believes, and a knee jerk reaction took place which allowed opportunists to take advantage of the perceived situation with our power supply industry. Australia's coal fired power stations provide some 10,240MW of base load power. Renewable energy with today's technology will never be able to replace this power supply as it would take 6826 wind turbines to match the output. This is forcing poor people to choose between putting food in their mouth or turn on an electric heater to get through this winter. How many house fires have occurred this last winter due to people using alternative naked flame heating and cooking methods in an effort to cut down their power bill? We are being hood winked into believing that our governments wasting millions of our tax dollars on this renewable folly will benefit the world in the future. 

Stephen
Stephen from NSW commented:

The price hikes are gouging customers; there is no justification for them. This is unsurprising and is the inevitable consequence of privatisation of S.C.C. It was against the will of the people and should never have happened. Prior to the breakup of S.C.C. service and reliability was excellent; adequate staff was available to attend to bushfire damage rapidly and the cost of electricity was quite reasonable. It is my will that these sell-offs be reversed and the services returned to those who have concern for the users. 

Hayden
Hayden from NSW commented:

Keep the pressure up on the supplier's in order that the government can do likewise, ie, maintain pressure to satisfy constituents. 

robin
robin from NSW commented:

I am only able to pay electricity bills at moment because I am forced to work longer, I am past retiring age and would like to retire and enjoy the rest of my life, not live in fear of not been able to afford power or restrict usage when I do retire. well done fifty up keep the pressure on them 

Pamela
Pamela from NSW commented:

I am very grateful that I can afford to pay my electricity bills, but have grave concerns for anyone who can't & believe this is woeful in a first world country. Congratulations to Fifty Up for tackling such issues. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

We have recently put solar panels on our roof to prepare for retirement and hopefully reduce our power bills in the future. 

rajesh
rajesh from NSW commented:

The electricity companies and the government (which receives big dividends from them) have got greedier over the years.Its time that they tightened their belts and started thinking about the battlers and Australians in general.Get real. 

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