News

News$700k worth of savings tips from the government
$700k worth of savings tips from the government

$700k worth of savings tips from the government

Tags: Energy Information
Last updated by Someone on

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you would have noticed all the talk about energy prices. If you have been off the grid (pun intended), there’s no hiding from your energy bill, which will find you eventually. 

And so will the Federal Government’s latest $700,000 ad campaign!

Launched this month, the Powering Forward Campaign reportedly cost tax-payers $300,000 for 60 seconds of airtime during the AFL & NRL Grand Finals, and as much as $700,000 in fees to a Melbourne ad agency.

There's some useful information buried in there, but it's hidden behind propaganda pushing the government's energy policy credentials.

What do you think of the campaign?

Our take? The website contains some useful info for people wanting to save on power bills, for example it links to the Energy Made Easy comparison site and the Victorian Switchon site to compare offers.

It also contains energy efficiency tips for households, which can be handy.

But all that useful stuff is buried behind the silly “powering forward” slogan and some bumph about the Government’s Snowy Hydro 2.0 and gas reservation policies.

They’re important, but we’d like to see the moneysaving info up front and centre!

Here’s something else you can do to save.

A couple of months back, the Fiftyup Club started our Power-Up Campaign,  which now boasts a staggering 50,000 registrations nationally That tells us that you do want to do something about energy prices even if it’s just to send a message to power companies that enough is enough.

While Australia may rank second in the world for quality-of-life, we rate first in the world for the highest energy prices. Data from the Carbon + Energy Markets' MarkIntell service says we’re ahead of Germany, Denmark and Italy with 4 Australian states in the top ten (click here to see the list).

This despite Australia having every energy resource available in the world including coal, wind, solar, nuclear and sea-water hydro power.

What can you do? It’s as easy as picking up the phone, calling your energy retailer and asking for a better deal. Don’t take no for an answer. The energy market has never been so competitive and you can get results, with many members reporting savings in the hundreds of dollars.

Click here to see the latest Fiftyup Club energy offers, extended for a limited time only


 

 

Originally posted on .

Join the conversation

FiftyUp Club
Fiftyup Club

Join the Conversation with other members below on the FiftyUp Club Forum. Join an existing conversation, or start your own. 

Conversation is closed.
Read our moderation policy here.
Alaine
Alaine from QLD commented:

They want the older people to work longer because the younger people are to lazy and wont work and get money on the dole for nothing. 

Debra
Debra from QLD commented:

I'd like to see an offer on discount Water Rates, I guess no-one will ever challenge that though. 

Janette
Janette from NSW commented:

There are not enough jobs for the Younger people, We need Them in the workforce Think of the muddle on the Central Coast, and yet more and more people are moving up there, (over) sharing accommodation and filling the relatively few jobs available. 

Debra
Debra from QLD replied to Janette:

You'd wonder why they move there if there are no jobs or accommodation. Maybe they should check out the situation before they move. 

Jim
Jim from QLD commented:

Thanks Russell, for agreeing. They should be paid whatever at the end of their term and nothing ever after, the same as any other person that leaves their employ. They certainly should have accummulated more funds than 98% of the population. 

Eion
Eion from QLD commented:

If the government is so hell bent on saving money in the welfare sector, perhaps they should look at the excesses spent on those who have not and do not contribute to our country such as foreign aid, people who come to this country, qualify for a pension and then return to their place of origin and still collect. See the following link http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/outside-australia#PensionpaymentrateswhileabsentfromAustralia. 

Sandra
Sandra from NSW commented:

The idea of people working until they are 70 is disgraceful. Our generation was the one that worked all their lives, and we didn't have compulsory Super until the 1980s, and were ashamed to get any govt. payments. I am 58 (female) and work part time, but the govt. needs to remember many older people don't enjoy good health, and are probably unable to work until 70. It's the younger people who are handouts that don't want to work... it's too easy for them. It's the over 45s they don't know what to do with, so they put them all on Newstart which is rediculous... they should at least be in a seperate category. I agree younger people need to do something for their payments. 

steve
steve from QLD commented:

Our polies should get there pension at the same time as the rest of us do @65/70 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Love to work, but how? After 353 job applications no even one reply. I have tons of experience and qualifications in a variety of industries from Accountant to CEO level. So before we say keep on working, first you must change the work place culture. 

Alfred M
Alfred M from QLD commented:

Perhaps we all should work till we die, then perhaps the Funeral could be paid by the Employer under Work Cover. What about the politicians, they can get their Magnificant Super after about 8 years in Parliament. That means they can retire in their late 20's or early 30's and still live off the Taxpayers money. What about the servicemen that have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are the heroes of Australia, when they retire from the Service after 30 or 40 years of service to this country, their pension is about 1/3 of their salary. How can these dumb politicians, get thousands of dollars more, for sitting on their a-s- in Canberra. 

Ian
Ian from QLD commented:

To keep the older aged person in the work force longer is crazy. What about all the younger people who are looking for work? If the politician are genuine, which I doubt, in reducing the budget figures then START WITH THEM. Stop all the perks they get. Let them buy their own vehicles and drive themselves. If workers are asked to take a pay cut then every one should take a pay cut. Let the politicians, the so called LEADERS show the way. A good leader should lead by example. Not kick the the poor B----- while they are down. I liken any pension cut to the "one hit" punch rule. So come on you politicians, get real for once and SHOW US THE WAY!!!!!! 

Comment Guidelines