Hornery, Sonia to the
Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing, and Special Minister for State representing the Minister for Resources, Minister for Energy and Utilities, Minister for Arts, Vice-President of the Executive Council
|
I am advised:
The cost of bill are the main issue raised in these complaints.
The Government is implementing a range of measures to assist
households and businesses reduce their energy costs. This includes:
- implementing the Energy Affordability Package, which included increasing
all rebates by 20 per cent. The Low Income Household Rebate, which is open to
many concession card holders, has increased from $235 to $285 per year per
household. The Family Energy Rebate has increased from $150 to $180 per year
per household, and the Gas Rebate has increased from $90 to $110 per year per
household.
- abolishing unnecessary retailer fees from 1 January 2018. The prohibition
on early termination fees, paper bill fees and fees for paying through
Australian Post outlets can save customers up to $30 per year.
- implementing a $72 million package of energy efficiency measures to enable
households and businesses to use new technology to reduce their energy costs.
This includes $24.5 million for upgrades to more than 20,000 rental homes for
energy efficiency lighting, heating and hot water systems.
- rolling out a $15 million Solar for Low Income Households trial program,
providing solar panels to low income households to help them reduce their
electricity bills. Up to 3,400 households will be able to save up to $300 each
year on their bills.
- developing Energy Switch, a free service which helps customers find a
better energy deal and initiate the request to switch retailers. Through a
comparison tool, customers will be shown the best priced plans from retailers
based on the usage detailed in their current bill. Customers can then initiate
a switch to a preferred energy retailer, based on their preferences.
|