ACOSS Concern About Rising Energy Prices

Two energy reports were released last week that have the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) worried:

• The Health of the National Electricity Market 2022 report by the Energy Security Board
• The State of the Energy Market 2022 by the Australian Energy Regulator.

Both reports expressed concern that energy prices were significantly increasing in an environment where consumers already face higher costs of living pressures and that this will create additional debt pressure on customers, particularly those facing hardship.

The Acting CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), Edwina MacDonald, said that when energy market bodies raise the alarm that rising energy prices are going to push more people into energy hardship, governments need to step in.

“People on low-incomes are already depriving themselves of energy and going without food or medicines to afford their energy bills, and this is seriously affecting their health and wellbeing.

“With energy debt levels already increasing for thousands of people, the Federal Government must take urgent action in the October budget to provide immediate relief and address the drivers of energy debt.

“We must also address the challenges that lie ahead, as highlighted in today’s reports. The Federal Government must take fair, fast and inclusive action to transition to a zero-emissions energy system,” she said.

The ACOSS report, “How JobSeeker and other income support payments are falling behind the cost of living”, found that more than half (57 per cent) of respondents surveyed are shortening or taking fewer showers because of increased energy costs, 70 per cent are cutting their use of heating, 46 per cent of respondents are going to bed early to keep warm, 28 per cent currently have energy bill debt and a further 22 per cent expect to go into debt when they receive their next bill.

• Topics:

• My House My Home
• Cost Of Living