Economy
Power shock: price rises on the way
Low income earners are expected to bear the brunt of further power price hikes in Tasmania.
Households are facing a 16 per cent rise in their electricity bills over the next three years from December.
Energy retailer Aurora is blaming the rising cost of wholesale electricity for the hike.
The Opposition Leader, Will Hodgman, says the average household power bill will soar by $80 a quarter if the proposed rise is implemented.
“The increased cost of living in Tasmania is getting out of control,” he said.
Kathleen Flannagan from Anglicare says low income earners will be hardest hit.
“We know that people are already having problems affording the cost of electricity.”
Mr Aird, by Dave: HERE
Paul Harris, MLC:
PAUL HARRISS
Wednesday September 1, 2010
AIRD CAUGHT OUT OVER AURORA FINANCES
Independent Member for Huon Paul Harriss today in the Legislative Council Question Time revealed evidence that Treasurer Michael Aird knew of Aurora’s deteriorating financial position prior to the State Election.
“The evidence shows that Aurora’s operating performance had deteriorated in the September quarter and by the December quarter last year the position was even worse and as stakeholder Minister for Aurora, Mr Aird clearly knew just how dramatically Aurora’s finances were sliding at the time,” Mr Harriss said.
“With all that information at his fingertips did Michael Aird think for one minute Aurora’s financial position was going to rebound – of course he didn’t and yet he continued to let Tasmanians believe that a re-elected Labor government would cap power price rises.
“Michael Aird is treating Tasmanians with contempt by refusing to confirm what he knew when the evidence is in black and white.
“It is time the Treasurer stopped attacking the messenger and accepted that he should have reined in the promise to cap power price rises when he above all others knew clearly the promise to the Tasmanian people could never be honoured.”
Bill Harvey…
Electricity price hike double hit.
The recently announced 21% price hike in electricity charges over the next three years strengthens the case considerably for local government to invest in renewable energy generation projects.
Hobart Greens Alderman Bill Harvey said the price increase would add another $600,000 to the already hefty Hobart City Council energy bill of $2.8 million, and unfortunately may need to be passed on through the rates.
Hobart City Council is already investigating the feasibility of establishing a wind farm, potentially with other councils, the community and small business, and any increase in the cost of energy would make such a project increasingly more attractive and economically viable.
Alderman Harvey said the council is at the forefront of action on climate change through cutting emissions and energy use and generating renewable energy is the logical next step to improve our environmental performance further and cut expenditure significantly.
The potential savings to council overtime are enormous and this money could be diverted to community development projects, replacement of aging infrastructure, cycle paths and the inner city development plan. A significant renewable energy project would also immunise the council against further price rises in the future.
Ideally, what could seal the deal on any renewable energy generation proposal is for the federal or state government to show leadership and commit to a gross feed in tariff.
Bill Harvey
Greens Alderman
C/- Town Hall
Hobart 7000