ACOSS Worried About Rising Energy Prices

Two energy reports released last week have worried the Australian Council of Social Service.

The Health of the National Electricity Market 2022 report by the Energy Security Board and The State of the Energy Market 2022 by the Australian Energy Regulator both expressed concern that the energy prices were significantly increasing in an environment where consumers already facing higher-cost-of-living pressures would experience additional debt pressure, particularly those facing hardship.

Acting CEO of ACOSS, Edwina MacDonald said that when energy market bodies raised the alarm that rising energy prices were going to push more people into energy hardship, governments needed 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,” Ms MacDonald said.

“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.”

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 were shortening or taking fewer showers because of increased energy costs;
• Seventy per cent were cutting their use of heating;
• Forty-six per cent were going to bed early to keep warm;
• Twenty-eight per cent currently had energy bill debt; and
• A further 22 per cent expected to go into debt when they received their next bill.

• Topics:

• Cost Of Living
• My House My Home
• Finance