Lights out for our battlers

VICTORIANS struggling to pay their power bills had their power disconnected more than 25,000 times in 2019, new documents show.

Figures obtained under Freedom of Information show thousands of disconnections are taking place every month as families grapple with surging electricity bills year on year.

The trend continued in the first three months of 2020 but has stopped under new laws introduced as part of the state government’s response to the pandemic.

It is feared the figures could surge again once these regulations are lifted and more families report financial hardship.

Opposition energy spokesman Ryan Smith said power bills in the state were rising.

“Victorian household budgets are already under huge pressure due to the ongoing pandemic crisis,” he said.

“These out-of-control power bills are only adding to their pain.”

Mr Smith also called on the Andrews government to provide a detailed list of each project that had received a share of $1.3bn in renewable energy funding.

“Victorians deserve to know where their money is going and whether the Andrews Labor government is making dodgy deals with foreignowned companies,” he said.

A list of programs supported by Victorian Renewable

Energy Auction Scheme is publicly available but the Opposition has called for information on every company to have received renewable funding from the government.

Disconnections were at their highest in 2018, with 37,650 households cut off.

But Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said that since April this year no households had been disconnected for not paying bills.

“We have put energy companies on notice and are monitoring them closely to make sure they are supporting vulnerable Victorians and providing customers the assistance they’re entitled to,” she said.

“We have introduced reforms to make sure energy companies assist any household struggling to pay their bills who reaches out to them.

“They must offer a payment plan or extending bill due dates while customers work towards paying for their usage.

“Anyone engaging with their energy company cannot be disconnected from their power.”

The government offers grants of up to $1950 over two years to eligible low-income households experiencing hardship with energy bills.

Research from the Australian Energy Market Commission revealed energy use had surged as much as 21 per cent after Victorians began working from home.

Victoria also has 48,530 people on hardship plans, the most of any state.