Joint Statement: A Plan for Affordable Energy 24 October 2012
Electricity prices have risen by over 50 per cent in the past five years. Without decisive reforms, electricity bills will continue to rise, large due to network costs and coal and gas prices.
The Australian Industry Group, Brotherhood of St Laurence, CHOICE and the Energy Efficiency Council are deeply concerned about rising electricity bills and the impact on business, consumers and vulnerable households we represent. We have joined forces because we share the same goal – making electricity affordable for Australians. We have agreed to a comprehensive package of essential reforms to achieve this goals, which includes:
- Developing a proposal to set distribution network companies minimum targets to reduce spending on new peak-driven infrastructure (poles and wires) through demand-side activity.
- Helping consumers to improve their energy efficiency and get more out of each dollar that they spend on electricity.
- Ensuring that there is a robust system for protecting consumers, particularly vulnerable consumers; a national consumer energy advocacy body; giving consumers a formal role in the regulatory process; and giving consumer groups access to energy market experts.