VCOSS welcomes Victorian Government move to investigate impact of smart meters on low and middle income Victorians
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The Victorian Council of Social Service has welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to investigate the impact of the roll out so called smart electric meters on low and middle income households.
In addition to the measures announced today, VCOSS calls on the Victorian Government to commit to providing assistance to low income and disadvantaged households to ensure they are not worse off under a time of use tariff system.
Chief Executive of VCOSS Cath Smith said that while of time of use electric meters might help some Victorians control their energy costs they could also lead to energy price hikes for those people who spend a large amount of time at home during the day, or who cannot shift their energy use.
“We’re pleased the Victorian Government has recognised that the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities and older people, or those at home with small children might not get a better deal once the roll out of smart meters to millions of Victorian households is complete.
It’s imperative that the impacts of time of use pricing are investigated and measures are put in place to ensure low income and disadvantaged households are not worse off.”
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VCOSS
Level 8, 128 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
T: 03 9654 5050 F: 03 9654 5749 W: vcoss@vcoss.org.au E: vcoss@vcoss.org.au