More power to consumers
Almost 22,000 Queensland electricity customers were disconnected last financial year despite measures being available to help people experiencing hardship. The Queensland Council of Social Service is concerned that not enough people know there are programs available to help avoid disconnection.
A one day Energy Affordability and Disadvantage conference was held in Brisbane to increase awareness about programs available to consumers. Eighty people from the community sector, energy retailers, government policy makers and regulators attended the conference.
Among the issues they are looking at is how to support disadvantaged people access the hardship programs. “Power companies are expected to have programs in place to help vulnerable customers stay connected to electricity when they are in financial stress,” says QCOSS Director Jill Lang.
“The Queensland Competition Authority is responsible for enforcing the Electricity and Gas Codes. It needs to take a long hard look at why Queensland disconnections rates are so high compared with other states.
“We need improvements to regulate the conduct of electricity retailers towards customers in financial hardship to ensure they are not disconnected unfairly. If power companies are not living up to the standards they should face the prescribed penalties,” says Jill.
Figures released by the Queensland Competition Authority reveal 21,784 electricity customers and 850 gas customers were disconnected due to non-payment of a bill during the last financial year.
For 50 years QCOSS has strived to promote social justice through working to eliminate inequality and disadvantage. The Queensland Council of Social Service represents 600 organisations and individuals throughout the state.
