Energy minister Ben Wyatt could ease winter anxiety for thousands of low income earners and pensioners having to choose between food and keeping warm this winter, by removing a hidden levy and saving them $75 a year, according to the Greens.
As power prices increased by 10 per cent from July 1, the Greens last week revealed Synergy customers could have their bills reduced by 4.4 per cent or $75 a year if the Tariff Equalisation Contribution were removed and paid out of consolidated revenue.
Greens energy spokesperson Tim Clifford said some low income earners are having to choose between food or heating this winter because the Government’s 10 per cent increase in power prices.
“Instead of having to pay the full $169 increase, we would only have to pay $94 if Labor removed the TEC, and they can do it almost immediately,” he said.
“When the basic needs of our most vulnerable people are being compromised, the Government must act to first protect them.
“It’s not right that our lowest income earners and concession holders are being asked to fix a disastrous budget situation created by a fiscally irresponsible Liberal Government.
“We agree that Labor did not create this situation, but it could act now by removing the TEC and making winter a bit easier for our most vulnerable people.”