ZAPPED BY HIGH BILLS

ELDERLY Gold Coast residents are turning their lights off at night and using candles because they fear they will not be able to pay their next power bill.

Pensioners are calling for electricity industry reforms after a report by the consumer watchdog said Queenslanders could save $419 if competition was introduced to the energy market. “Some of our pensioners are sitting in the dark in winter. They’ve turned off their heaters,” Burleigh MP Michael Hart said. “When meter readers arrive they are scared.”

ELDERLY Gold Coast residents are turning their lights off at night and using candles because they fear they will not be able to pay their next power bill.

Pensioners are calling for electricity industry reforms after a report by the consumer watchdog said Queenslanders could save $419 if competition was introduced to the energy market.

Among 56 recommendations in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) report into restoring electricity affordability is the state selling some of its power generators to the private sector to drive down prices.

Opposition energy spokesman and Burleigh MP Michael Hart believes the answer is restructuring the governmentowned generators from two to three entities but maintaining state ownership.

Mr Hart said electricity price gouging by the Palaszczuk Government was having a big impact on lifestyle for the elderly in his electorate.

“Some of our pensioners are sitting in the dark in winter. They’ve turned off their heaters,” Mr Hart told the Bulletin yesterday.

“When meter readers arrive they are scared. When they get their bills they are so big they cannot afford to pay it.”

Mr Hart fears that if consumers continue to use less electricity and turn off their airconditioners, the government will respond by charging higher tariffs.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor said pensioners with serious health issues in his electorate were turning off all appliances so they could afford to operate medical aids.

“For local businesses it is overtaking staff costs as one of their biggest expenses and for households it makes it harder to keep the lights on and run the aircon,” he said.

“We’ve got to look at who is profiting most from this – and that’s the State Government. It’s basically an extra tax that Queenslanders shouldn’t have to be paying because it’s us who own the generators.’’

Queenslanders were paying almost $2000 for power in 2017-18 while small businesses faced costs of $2550 after rises of more than 4 per cent.

The government’s modelling shows that creating three state-owned generation companies would reduce wholesale prices by more than 8 per cent.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington said the ACCC’s report was a damning indictment on the energy policies of successive Labor governments in Queensland.

The following information is from the Federal Government’s Energy Made Easy site.The data obtained was for a four people living in a house with a pool in the Gold Coast hinterland. None of the appliances in the home were operating under an offload system, at lower rate at night.The quotes also do not reflect demand charges, where suppliers require extra costs from consumers.The results revealed 75 offers ranging from $2292 to $3995. These are cost estimates and only a guide to offers. Estimated bill including discounts. Ongoing contract with benefit period, at the end of one year a new energy plan is created. Bill every month. No exit fee. Solar options. Estimated bill including discounts. Ongoing contract with benefit period, at end of 12 months advised of options. Bill every three months. 28 per cent off your usage charges on each bill. No exit fee. Solar options. Estimated bill including discounts. Ongoing contract with benefit period of 12 months. Bill every three months. 12 per cent discount on exclusive usage and supply charges. Solar option. Estimated bill including discounts. Ongoing contract with benefit period of 24 months. Bill every three months. 21 per cent pay on time discount. No exit fee. Estimated bill including discounts. Ongoing contract with benefit period, contract continues until terminated. Bill every month. 30 per cent discount for usage if paid on time. No exit fee. Solar options. WHAT YOU’LL PAY ● ● ● ● RESIDENTIAL HOME SAVERS CONNECT $2603 ANYTIME SAVER HOME PEAK $2336 BILL SAVER 2591 $ QLD SIMPLY RACQ PLUS 21 FIT 2615 $ EASYSAVER SINGLE RATE $2600