‘The price increases are substantial and have the potential to significantly impact on households, especially low income households.’
IPART Final Determination On Regulated Retail Electricity Prices, 20 May 2009
Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has condemned the Rees Labor Government for using the people of Davidson as its cash cow in the latest electricity price hike.
IPART’s final determination on electricity prices will see a typical customer of Energy Australia’s bill increase by $184 per year, Integral Energy customers by $202 and Country Energy by $204.
The price hikes represent a rise of more than 20% in electricity bills for each individual household.
“Many families in the Davidson Electorate are already struggling in the current economic environment,” Mr O’Dea said today.
“Instead of milking more money from the people of Davidson this incompetent State Labor Government should be doing all it can to alleviate the pressure on families during this difficult time.”
Mr O’Dea said it’s unacceptable that the Rees Labor Government was increasing costs and forcing electricity users to bail them out for their years of failure to invest in maintenance and capital upgrades.
“Slugging battling families with hundreds of dollars extra a year is an unfair move by an out of touch Labor Government that has forgotten how to put the needs of people first,” said Mr O’Dea.
“If State Labor had reinvested the 11.4 billion dollars it has reaped from energy retailers and generators over the years back into the electricity system, Davidson customers would not be left to foot the bill now.
“I will continue to work hard with my colleagues in the NSW Liberal/National Coalition to make sure the people of Davidson are treated fairly by this State Labor Government.”
