Gas monopoly anxiety
Horsham-based state parliamentarian Emma Kealy believes a gas-supply monopoly is leading to Horsham customers paying some of the highest prices for gas in Victoria.
Already outspoken about a lack of competition for piped gas supply in the Wimmera’s capital, she has again accused the State Government of refusing to take action to break a monopoly.
She said gas prices in Horsham had risen by more than 75 percent since the Wimmera and Colac Gas Supply Tariff Order 1998, which constrained gas-tariff increases to no more than CPI, expired in 2013.
She said the government had taken no steps to renew the Order since its expiration.
Despite the sector being open to competition, Energy Australia owns 100 percent of the transportation capacity of the pipeline supplying gas to western Victoria. The circumstance makes it the sole gas retailer in the region.
Ms Kealy wrote a detailed letter to Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’ambrosio calling for action in February
“It is obvious that Premier Daniel Andrews has no interest in fixing the gas-supply monopoly situation in the Wimmera,” Ms Kealy said.
“It’s been six years since the Order expired and the Minister for Energy, Environment Ms D’ambrosio has done absolutely nothing.”
Ms Kealy said Horsham district residents who had received ‘astronomical’ gas accounts were constantly contacting her.
“One resident told me she recently contacted Energy Australia to complain about her account and the fact that there are no pay-on-time discounts available to Horsham customers,” she said.
“Even Energy Australia acknowledges there is an issue because they gave her $50 off her account as a goodwill gesture.
“Our gas prices are soaring and the minister won’t even acknowledge there is an issue.
“It is high time the minister shows Horsham residents some goodwill and takes action to get some cost-of-living relief for people by ending the gas-supply monopoly and ensuring Horsham residents have access to the same energy deals as those available in Melbourne.”
Australian energy company Origin announced in February that it was exploring ways of entering the natural-gas retail market in Horsham.