Please attribute quotes to ECA CEO Dr Brendan French:
“Our latest Consumer Energy Report Card shows that 40% of residential and small business consumers have found it hard to pay their energy bills over the last 6 months.
“Extending the current rebates to December is welcome, but it doesn’t tackle the root causes of energy hardship. Households and small businesses need governments to provide sustainable assistance that will help them lower their bills for good.
“We need to treat not just the symptoms but the cause and ensure supports so that all Australians have energy efficient homes and can realise the benefits of low-cost, renewable energy. To do this, we would like to see measures such as nationally consistent minimum energy efficiency standards for all rental properties Australia-wide.
“We are very pleased to see that the ACCC’s Inquiry into the National Electricity Market will be extended for another 12 months. This important work by the ACCC has uncovered vital information about the issues facing households and small businesses in the energy market.
“We have been working closely with the government on reforms that will provide greater consumer protections and more support for those experiencing energy hardship. We look forward to continuing to work with the government on these vital reforms.”
Funding for small businesses
“We were pleased to see the government will also be extending the energy rebate for another 6 months for around 1 million small businesses. Our research, and research by COSBOA that we have funded, has shown that many businesses are struggling to pay their bills at the moment.
“We’re also glad the government is extending the Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Businesses program. Helping small businesses to replace inefficient appliances and improve space and water heating systems, will enable them to save money on their energy bills in the long term. We hope that extending the deadline will enable more businesses to apply for this program.
“Longer term we would like future incentives for small businesses to be included as part of a long-term plan to ensure their needs are met in the energy transition.”
About Energy Consumers Australia Energy Consumers Australia is the independent, national voice for residential and small business energy consumers. We enable residential and small business energy consumers to have their voices heard.
About Energy Consumers Australia
Energy Consumers Australia is the independent, national voice for residential and small business energy consumers. We enable residential and small business energy consumers to have their voices heard.
You can see our latest consumer research, the Consumer Energy Report Card on our website here.