Labor mismanagement over the ‘smart meter’ mess has continued with Minister for Energy Peter Bachelor rushing to announce that he would ask the Australian Energy Regulator to refuse distributor SP AusNet’s request to increase peak summer rates from 8c/kwh to a massive 42c/kwh
Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh said the Brumby Labor Government was made aware that electricity costs would soar when the enabling Bill was debated in the Parliament many months ago.
“The Brumby Government refused to acknowledge this was the case and now we have this proposed massive increase in prices by SP AusNet,” Mr Walsh said.
“Why did Minister Batchelor wait until the obvious was staring him in the face before he suddenly decided to act?
“The Brumby Government has caused many Victorians, particularly the elderly, disadvantaged and those on low incomes, unnecessary anxiety,” he said.
“They claim that smart meters will save consumers money. If that’s so, why then are consumers facing such a staggering increase in their electricity bills?
“This is yet another example of Labor mismanagement and it’s families throughout Victoria who will shoulder the additional cost due to the Brumby Government failings.
“Labor wants Victorians to reduce their energy use during peak periods but it’s the elderly and people with a disability who are more likely to be at home during peak times and who may be put themselves at risk by not heating or cooling their homes properly in a bid to reduce energy bills,” Mr Walsh said.
“The price rises have the potential to have a negative impact on pensioners and lower income families who simply cannot afford it.
“This is just the latest in a series of expensive problems plaguing the smart meter project.
“Since 1 January many Victorians without smart meters have had to pay for them through higher electricity bills despite smart meter installation being years off for some,” he said.
“In November 2009 the Auditor-General found that the cost of the project had blown out by $1.5 billion, implementation had been delayed by 12 months and the benefits were overstated while the costs were understated.
“It’s outrageous that Victorian families will be paying in the vicinity of $200 in higher electricity bills each year to pay for the mess,” Mr Walsh said.
Print
Comments
Post has no comments.