Media release – Rebecca White MP, Tasmanian Labor Leader; Dean Winter MP, Shadow Minister for Energy, 20 February 2024
Unfair power bill charges to go under Labor – renters the winner
A Tasmanian Labor Government will save Tasmanians, and in particular renters – even more money on their power bills by scrapping charges for connection and disconnection when people move house.
Tasmanians who are moving into a new house with a basic meter currently have to pay around $100 to connect the electricity, and $64 for a final meter read when moving out of a house – meaning anyone with a basic meter is up for $165 in fees.
Fran Spears, who already struggles with the cost of living and relies on the pension, was recently slugged with these charges when she moved houses.
Like many Tasmanians, Fran is doing it tough and gets by on a tight budget.
This leaves little money aside for additional costs such as the disconnection and connection charges.
A Labor Government will abolish these charges, providing almost $200 in cost-of-living relief to people moving from one house to another.
This policy will give most help to young people and renters who are known to move more often.
No-one should have to pay nearly $200 in fees when they move house just because their meter hasn’t been upgraded.
Scrapping these unfair charges is in addition to Labor’s plan to ensure Tasmanians pay a Tasmanian price for Tasmanian power.
Tasmania owns the Hydro and produces power locally, so why are we paying mainland prices?
Labor’s top priority is urgent action on the cost of living – and scrapping unfair charges and policies is one more thing that will make a difference.
After 10 years of the Liberals, Tasmanians are being ripped off on their power bills – it’s time for a better future and the only way to make that happen is to elect a Labor Government.
