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NewsLast chance for consumers to have their say on electricity prices
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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SUE
SUE from NSW commented:

Electricity prices for the past few years have been horrendous. It's inconceivable that they should go up further. 

Nives
Nives from NSW commented:

I thank God the over fifties are finally being recognised and helped through the FiftiesUp club. Pensioners have a right to enjoy themselves a little however the continuing increases to our power bills are taking a big chunk off our enjoyment but no one listens to our pleas.. Thank you we need a spokesman to represent and fight for us we really appreciate the help. 

Henry
Henry from NSW commented:

We are gradually being pushed back to the days of serfdom where there will just a few "Lords" and the rest of us will be just the "poor" struggling to survive. Whether it be electricity, or the prices of other staple commodities, the gap between the haves and the have nots is growing wider everyday, with Govt.s of all persuasions hell bent on implementing policies that do nothing more than transfer public wealth to a few private hands. This process is called 'Globalisation' and 'Free Trade'. 

Anne
Anne from NSW commented:

It's been a difficult season not being able to use my heating appliance on a constant basis. Very very wary to turn it on as the SHOCK of bills is not worth the comfort of heat 

barry
barry from NSW commented:

make the politicians give up their rorts I believe todays politicians are only in there to fill their pockets BARRY from nsw 

harvey
harvey from NSW commented:

To take $5 per wk out of a pensioner is critical,but to take $50 out a politicians money per wk is negligible. When will we get people who understand the plight of the poor and vunerable , residing over these so called tribunals. It's time the govt started doing its real job of representing "IT"S PEOPLE for once. I believe they are in charge a'rnt they? 

Alex
Alex from VIC commented:

Competition between all the various power retailers is really non existent. The Energy Regulator appears to act as a rubber stamp for price rises. Both Service and Usage charges are out of control as evident from the increase of 116% in electricity over the past 10 years and gas price increases are expected to soon overtake electricity price increases. We appear to be creating a society of haves and have-nots, those who can afford to pay these unfair prices and those who are genuinely struggling. The Energy Regulator needs to understand this unfair burden falling on not just the most disadvantaged in our society but also on those who are middle income type earners. If these power price increases continue - then I look forward to the day when solar power combined with battery storage are sufficiently affordable to drive these electricity and gas producers, distributors and retailers into oblivion. 

Joseph
Joseph from NSW commented:

The issue of POWER supply is Ludicrous, different companies charging different prices. Why are the politicians allowing this to happen. Same damned power without which we cannot survive, is being touted by different companies promising cash-back and percentage discounts ! When is all these going to end ? 

John
John from NSW commented:

We all need the State and the Federal Governments to please consider what is happening to our Australian way of life. We all worked so hard for many years for just a comfortable retirement lifestyle but, look at us now, struggling to pay our electricity bills. It keeps going up like everything else. We just can't budget for these increases in our businesses, the customers won't ware it so we have too. Together we may have a chance to resolve it. John. Western NSW. 

Peter
Peter from VIC commented:

Supply charges are the killer, I would be curious to see if a line graph showing the increase in power bills matches a graph of solar panel installations leaving less customers to make that all important company profit that shareholders want ...... or am I just being cynical? 

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