Sector calls for energy relief for disadvantaged Australians

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) recently handed down a determination expected to result in electricity price increases of between 0.5 per cent and 9.7 per cent for customers living in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland, from July 1.

Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) CEO Cassandra Goldie, said the price rise was a blow for people on the lowest incomes, who were already making enormous sacrifices to afford their energy bills.

“People struggling the most are going without food, medication and other essentials to try to pay their energy bills,” she said.

“Others are selling belongings or turning to buy now, pay later schemes.”

Goldie said the energy regulator had increased energy prices because of ageing and unreliable coal power stations, high gas prices and rising network costs.

She said the faster Australia could transition to clean renewable energy and storage, the better.

“We must also do more now to support people struggling the most with their energy costs.”

Goldie said one-off energy rebates to everyone were poorly targeted, expensive, and do not provide the permanent bill relief other solutions offered.

“To deliver on its promise of leaving no-one behind, the government must provide targeted support to those that need it the most, starting with a substantial increase to Jobseeker and related payments, providing energy debt relief, and prioritising more investment in home energy upgrades to low-income housing and for renters.”

Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) also expressed “deep concern” at the looming energy price increase.

CSSA executive director Dr Jerry Nockles said the decision by the energy regulator would disproportionately affect those already struggling to make ends meet.

“This latest electricity price hike represents more than just numbers on a bill – it forces impossible choices upon families already living on the margins.”

Nockles said the price increases also represented a significant failure by the federal government to deliver on its commitment to reducing power prices for Australians.

“These ongoing increases directly contradict those promises and leave vulnerable people bearing the burden of that failure.”

Nockles said telling vulnerable people to “shop around” to find the most affordable power deal was not good enough, with many people lacking the time, resources, digital literacy, or English skills to navigate complex energy markets.

He said others were trapped in rental properties with no choice over their energy provider or appliances.

“The onus should not be on struggling families to solve a systemic issue,” said Nockles.

“A just energy system must leave no-one behind. That means ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens are not bearing the heaviest burden of system changes and market fluctuations.”