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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 .

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Gregory
Gregory from NSW commented:

What a joke considering means testing the family home!!! Would they rather that we all live in public housing? I am retired and receive a part pension now. The reason that I own a modest home is because I worked hard and did without luxuries so that my family would have a little security. Target the bludgers first.The government needs to distance itself from this asap. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

In the About You section you can't select a year of birth below the 1980's, the slider bar doesn't work. 

Ali - FiftyUp Club Technical Support
Ali - FiftyUp Club Technical Support from NSW commented:

Hi there! Thanks for letting us know - I will have a look into this issue and get back to you. 

Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

How come FiftyUp can clearly advertise a 17% discount on electricity, and even have "Joe" comment about his Solar Power rebate, and yet, if you have Solar Power, the discount is NOTHING like 17%.. 'tis a wonder that Fair Trading has not had something to say... :-( 

Ian
Ian from NSW replied to Peter:

I agree you lay out money for solar panels and then get victimized for having them we also should get the 17% rebate! 

Joel - FiftyUp Club
Joel - FiftyUp Club from NSW replied to Peter:

Hi Peter, the current solar offer doesn't have the full 17% discount but it includes a bonus 10c/kW retailer feed-in tariff. This is a very good bonus feed-in by industry standards. Our analysis is that most existing solar customers are better off on the 7% discount + 10c bonus feed-in plan than the big 17% discount with no bonus feed-in. 

Peter
Peter from NSW replied to Joel - FiftyUp Club:

""....but it includes a bonus 10c/kW retailer feed-in tariff...." but that is only partly true and even the promotional wording is VERY deceptive.. if not dishonest.. It clearly states that there is a 10c BONUS, but if you are on the old 60c or 20c GFIT, you get NOTHING.. So where is the BONUS then.. So... if you got in early and receive the 20/60c, then all you get is 7% discount on IMPORT power, and that can be had ANYWHERE.. :-( 

Joel - FiftyUp Club
Joel - FiftyUp Club from NSW replied to Peter:

Hi Peter, where did you read that? This fact sheet says you get the 60c or the 20c PLUS the Click 10c bonus, so you will get 70c or 30c if you are on one of the older government feed-ins: https://www.clickenergy.com.au/energy-price-fact-sheets/ausgrid/click-shine/84/ I'd suggest you contact Click Energy on 1300 085 785 to confirm how the offer would work for you. 

Peter
Peter from NSW replied to Joel - FiftyUp Club:

Well, I started to churn, and when I asked, was TOLD that the 10c only applied where there was a retailer component of rebate.. I was explicitly told that it was a flat 10c MAX. that was paid.. NOT an extra 10c (extra to what you not get) and that it did not apply where there was a Government rebate... ie.. 20c or 60c.. Your insistence , that I may be wrong, caused me to ring again, and again, I was told that EVERYONE gets 10c from CLICK .. Thus if you now get nothing or 8c, then you will receive 10c, and if getting 60c or 20c, then you WILL get 70c and 30c respectively... Is that how it works..>>> So having been told different things at different times, I can only hope that this outcome is final... BUT... as far as value is concerned, THAT is another matter, IF users only have a small Solar System and on the newer NETt feed in, where you use your own Solar Power first and what you can't use, is exported...... This would apply to small systems like under 1.5kW, and is worse for retirees, because they are home during the day, USING their solar power.. A working couple might be exporting most of their power, because they are at work during the day.. CLICK offers 7% IMPORT discount and this it comes OFF your final bill.. ie... if you use 200 worth of imported power and you export $50 to the grid, you will get 7% discount on $150.. in a bill of $139.50......... Yes it is strange how I was first told one thing and then another.. Thanks for confirming the correct situation.. Now it's here in writing..! 

bruce
bruce from NSW commented:

hi ron, i run data centres in syndey and we of course buy power from NSW govt. The retailer is trunery and they charge 7cents/kwatt for power, the rest up to 18 cents is NSW govt owned poles and wires and 2 cents carbon tax. (can't wait for this go if labour would just get out of the damn way), bottom line is the last increase of 7 cents was 5 cents to NSW govt poles and words and 2 cents to Fed govt. Answer ... the increase in electricity for consumers has been driven by NSW govt and the fed govt. I have AGL supplying power to my house with 1.5kwatt solar panels on the roof. This deal is better that the Fifty up deal. I suggest anyone call AGL and get there deal. 52 cent peak, 21 shoulder and 13c off peak, answer is adjust your dishwashing, clothes washing to night time post 10pm. get you kids to turn of the lights, turn of pc and tis at night/. bruce 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to bruce:

Some wonderful ideas Bruce for those fortunate to live in a free standing houses.However for those who live in units and flats the using of noisy machines POST 10pm is not likely to be embraced with great enthusiasm by those living above, below or beside thrifty late night user. Dishwashers? My mother was married hers, and found this method was quite cost effective. 

Peter
Peter from NSW replied to bruce:

I do wish I could understand what you are saying... Who is retailer TRUNERY... and they only charge 7c for power... Tell us their number so that we can all sign up.. :-) I am paying over 50c peak 

Ron
Ron from NSW commented:

The real issue on electricity companies annual dividends to Government is that Governments set the required amount irrespective of the individual company trading results. That amount then becomes an unavoidable expense (tax) for the company. The Government does not take the same approach to other trading enterprises such as transport, that make huge annual losses. The end result is that electricity (and water) users are actually subsidising the provision of loss making public transport. The sad part is that not all electricity users actually get to use public transport. Many are not really in a position to be able to afford to subsidise it. 

Peter
Peter from NSW replied to Ron:

["The sad part is that not all electricity users actually get to use public transport."].. but irrespective of if you do or don't use Public Transport" , we ALL benefit from it and demand that it be improved, so that WE can use the roads efficiently... Our roads are clogged, because people have such poor choices with Public Transport... IMHO 

Brian and Margaret
Brian and Margaret from NSW commented:

Being over 50 at times represents a problem in certain commercial businesses when purchasing a service. The tendency is to treat one as an old idiot that knows nothing, this is especially true with the electronics industry, and electronic retailers. Consequently I have stopped using their services and shop on the internet, where one is generally satisfied with the purchase being made. I have also noticed that post offices treat you like a mug, and in particular when you collect mail from a P.O.Box in your wife's maiden name, my wife uses her maiden name, and I have no problem with this arrangement, but the counter assistants are generally the problem in that they don't understand and don't try to understand. I have struck this problem with Aust. Immigrations when lining up to exit or re-enter the country, they have tried to separate us in the queue. There is a reasonably wide spectrum of businesses that are guilty of this indifference. 

Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

Peter from Sydney The powers to be removed The Waterhouse Bookmakers from over advertising on TV and yet during the daylight hours we get bombarded by adverts from Insurance companies for over 5 hours continually and yet nothing is done, why not ?? 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

How do I determine any penalty applying to discontinuing AGL 7% Advantage accounting? 

Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

If you are on the AGL 7% , then might you also have SOLAR power...??? and if you have SOLAR power, are you getting the 60c or 20c feed in.. because if that is the case - STAY where you are or find someone who WILL give you 12%, which is relatively easy eg.. EA.. Alternatively, ring AGL and tell them that you have been offered 12% and they need to match it or you will "exit stage right".. 

Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

and as far as "Penalty" is concerned, that will be determined by how long you have been with them.. I think I recall that under 12mths, there is a penalty but the closer you get to two years, the least likely.. At issue is the way the retailers readily "Resign" you when the "Contract" expires, and thus try to encumber you to a NEW contract.. again do not change if you have SOLAR and then only if you receive nothing or 8c odd as a feed in.. ;-) 

Olivia - FiftyUp Club
Olivia - FiftyUp Club from NSW commented:

Hi there, you'll need to contact AGL and ask them. There is often a termination fee for people wishing to leave their contacts early to take up a switch, however, you just need to weigh up the long term benefits! 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I can remember when the government privatised green slips. They where suppose to have been cheaper because of the competition. That worked out well did in it. 

Rod
Rod from NSW commented:

I agree wholeheartedly with Neil from NSW in that I also do not know of any Utilities that have been sold becoming cheaper to buy or use. 

Garth
Garth from QLD replied to Rod:

Hi Rod & Neil Your comments are quite amusing. Name a government service of any kind that has reduced in price while remaining in government hands. I can name many which have increased exponentially with privatisation even being on any agenda. Now for privatised companies services that have reduced in price (not just when indexed to inflation). Remember flying on the government owned TAA/Australian Airlines. Melbourne to Sydney return when you had to spend 3 nights away or a Saturday night - $1,100 (1989 dollars - about $2,300 2014 dollars). I can now fly Melbourne to Sydney same day return on the privatised Qantas for $176. Speaking of Qantas, government owned in 1989 return to London was $2,990 ($6,200 in 2014 dollars) with a "Super APEX" ticket bought months in advance. I can leave on Tuesday next week on the privatised Qantas for $1,690 ($800 in 1989 dollars) and fly in A380 comfort not imaginable in 1989. Qantas are not even the cheapest option but Qantas is another matter... In 1989 the government owned Telecom charged 68c per minute for a call between Sydney and Melbourne and a Motorola MicroTAC mobile cost $2,990. Today, the privatised (mostly) Telstra gives me unlimited free calls to landlines Australia wide and more advanced mobile phones are given away free. I could go on and on but I ask again, if the argument against privatisation is that privatised companies raise prices, name any government owned service which has reduced in price recently. 

Beverley
Beverley from NSW replied to Garth:

Re airlines . . . competition changed things . . . monopolies are a recipe for disaster. Re telephones? back in the 80's mobiles were rare as hens teeth and big as house bricks . . . satellites being toyed with, and phone boxes were on every street corner . . . once you could only get to London/Sydney - (anywhere really!) - by ship . . . wooden ones - then steamers - now deisels. Of course planes were going to be expensive. Besides being new and cumbersome, airport expenditures, staff, etc., they didnt carry the same number of passengers. Progress and technology have changed HEAPS of things. But back to selling "assets" - economics/budgeting on any scale boil down to basics. Why would you own - then sell your house - to rent and be at the mercy of a landlord? You cant mortgage a rental. Why would you own - then sell your car and attempt to rely on a cab, bus or bicycle? (Aging daily and living semi rural as I do this ISNT an option so I MAINTAIN my asset.) As mentioned by many others, the assets are OWNED by the taxpayers - (no matter what their ages). The fact there have been BAD managers at the helm hasnt even been addressed here! So why do we ALL have to compromise. Same as super funds apologising for making bad decisions! Sorry the "interest" isnt so good this year - because . . . and we get another snow job! Please look from another perspective . . . if someone came into your space and decided they were going to SELL your assets - how exactly would you react? National/state/local or basic home economics. Money in - money out - save a little, maintain assets and if there is anything left over - EVERYone decides what to do with it! Not just give an elite group of "managers" a payrise! :) Things just need to be SIMPLIFIED!!! Work out the easy bits . . . then see what falls into grey areas and spend braintime on them! Thanks for the debate . . . we are all permitted out points of view . . . and we are all allowed to agree to disagree. :) 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Garth:

Memories, such wonderful things, never-the-less they are often open to manipulation either intentionally or unintentionally. I remember my mother paying off a two hundred pound set of saucepans when father earn t around forty two pounds a week (I'm still using them more than 50 years on) I remember our first black and white T V costing over 4.5 weeks wages.The change in price ratio to wages, has nothing to do with private or public ownership of those companies but changes in manufacturing which enhanced the product and allowed it to be produced at a lower cost. This is the trend with most products,they become cheaper as experience and experimentation allows the product to become a better product at a lower cost no matter who makes it 

Peter
Peter from NSW replied to Rod:

The simple act of SELLING off , a public facility/utility, is a guarantee of increased prices.. Firstly, the Government will force up the income, to make the utility more attractive, and then when it is bought, the Shareholders demand the greatest profit.. For years the Govt. blamed the electricity price rises on these mongrels with Solar Panels, but magically , every year, greater profits were reported.. For the proof, look at how the Govt. withheld the sale of Power Generators until their value could be increased by forcing up electricity prices.. :-( 

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