Published: June 15, 2010 - 02:00 PM
Large increase of retail electricity prices on July 1st
One of the largest annual increase of retail electricity prices will occur on July 1. Electricity prices will rise by a whopping 13.29 per cent putting more pressure on already stretched the household budget.
The price rises will add an additional $256 to the average annual bill, which has increased to almost $2000 a year since Queensland's electricity industry was deregulated in 2007.
The significant increase is due to a number of factors including growing transmission and distribution costs, increases in generation costs, and prices rises from retailers.
The price rises has lead the Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) to request the State government urgently review the hardship concessions. QCOSS president, Karyn Walsh, said “Current concessions are simply not hitting the mark and need to be extended to all people currently unemployed, and not just those with pensioner concession cards. They should also be indexed so these massive price hikes have less impact and they should be paid as a percentage of the energy bill, not as a fixed amount regardless of the size of a family or their usage.”
Alison Walter of ShopAround.com.au said that “In Queensland, it will be very important for consumers do their research and make sure they compare electricity companies to ensure they are getting the best deal.”
« Back to article list
Related Links
Share this article
