News

Labor’s surging power price crisis

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Ovens Valley families and businesses are paying too much for energy, a review into Victoria’s retail energy market has found.

The Independent Review into the Electricity and Gas Retail Markets in Victoria has found regional consumers in areas with only one gas or electricity provider face significantly inflated prices.

Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said energy had become unaffordable under Daniel Andrews.

“The report clearly states ‘strong intervention’ is required to make sure consumers are getting the best deal possible,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Labor commissioned this report, they appointed the investigators, so they have no excuse not to act.

“Energy prices are soaring, forcing too many people to go to bed cold and hungry, and Daniel Andrews is not doing anything.”

The review also found a confusing pricing structure meant it was near impossible for many families to shop around for energy deals and compare prices.

When Hazelwood Power Station shutdown in March, 750 people lost their jobs and our state was left with no alternative to make up the baseload power supply that was lost.

“If Daniel Andrews was serious about energy affordability for Victorian households and businesses, he wouldn’t have failed to stop the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station with no backup plan,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Daniel Andrews needs to act immediately on power prices instead of pointing the finger and hoping the Federal Government will fix his energy affordability mess.”