Energy
Affordability
Our Energy Affordability campaign will work to cut energy bills for you and other older Australians.
The issue
Older Australians are struggling with a complex energy market beset with faux competition with inadequate consumer protections.
What we're calling for
We're pushing for an end to demand tariffs and for stronger consumer protections against confusing energy prices.
The benefit
Energy bills should be simple and energy should be affordable.
Ban demand tariffs for retail customers
National Seniors Australia opposes the use of demand tariffs at the retail level. Demand tariffs charge customers for using high levels of energy during peak times but then applies this across an entire billing period when energy use is not high. This charge will not reduce peak demand and is simply a cost recovery tool. Demand tariffs should not be part of billing as they are confusing and do nothing to reduce peak demand.
Get rid of faux competition in the retail market
Older people are sick of being asked to shop around for a better deal on electricity. This faux competition does not benefit consumers and simply increases prices. Energy is an essential and government should regulate the sector effectively to control prices rather than pretend that retail competition has any impact on reducing the cost of energy.
Smart meter protections
The move to roll out of smart meters will expose households to electricity tariffs – time of use and demand tariffs – that charge higher prices in peak times. This could result in higher bills for households. Consumer protections must be strengthened.
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A regulated price for electricity
After considering submissions to the inquiry into electricity pricing in 2017, including National Seniors' own submission, the ACCC recommended a default offer with a regulated price and basic consumer protections be created. A default market offer (DMO) with regulated price was created by the federal government on 1 July 2019. This was a huge win for older consumers unable to shop around for a better deal on energy.
Energy Supplement retained for new Age Pension recipients
We opposed the federal government’s 2016 proposal to scrap the Energy Supplement for new Age Pension recipients. This would have cost a single pensioner $365 and a couple $551 annually. In 2018, we welcomed the announcement that the policy was no longer being considered.
Submission to the ACCC Inquiry into retail electricity prices and supply
Read our submission to the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) outlining our concerns about the impact of an accelerated roll out of smart meters and the cost-reflective tariffs this will enable. We call for greater protections for consumers so they cannot be forced onto more expensive and confusing cost-reflective tariffs.
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Current submissions
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