Energy and water
Energy and water are essential services for all Victorian households. But for many in our community, access to sufficient electricity, gas and water is compromised by low incomes and financial hardship.
As a result, some Victorian households experience fuel poverty because they can’t afford to buy the amount of energy they need, and either ration their use, or face disconnection for non-payment. VCOSS works to improve access to essential energy and water for vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorian households.
VCOSS campaigns for:
- adequate concessions to offset the impact of utilities on a household’s budget
- fair pricing to ensure that all households can get access to an essential supply of energy and waters
- a consumer protection framework that protects all households accessing essential services
Current issues
- Smart meters
Electricity smart meters are being installed in every household in Victoria over the next four years. These meters will enable new electricity pricing structures and products to be offered to customers. VCOSS has raised concerns that these products may disadvantage some low income households and is working with the government and other community organisations to make sure that the right consumer protections, regulations and concessions are in place to make sure that low income households are not worse off and can share in the benefits of new metering technologies.
For more on VCOSS’ position on smart meters click here to download a fact sheet.
Contact:
Dean Lombard at dean.lombard@vcoss.org.au
More information:
-
Media Releases
20 December 2011
Time to rein in cavalier energy retailers
Newly released energy data showing that retailers are taking a cavalier approach to customers in hardship is prompting calls for the State Government to step in to ensure companies aren’t ripping off consumers.14 December 2011
Government delivers for consumers on smart meters
VCOSS welcomes the Government’s announcement today of changes to the smart meter program that will ensure consumers get better value for money and are more likely to get some real benefits.12 May 2011
State Budget 2011-12: Costs of living analysis
Living costs were a central theme in the 2010 election and measures to ameliorate them have featured prominently in the new Government’s first budget. -
Reports
Energy and ER: A snapshot of electricity and gas services and their impact on households seeking emergency reliefAuthor: VCOSS
Date: 2010
Letter to the Chair of the Australian Energy Market Commission regarding information collection needs for the Review Of The Effectiveness Of Competition In Gas And Electricity Retail MarketsAuthor: Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre Ltd, Consumer Action Law Centre, St Vincent de Paul Society, Victoria and VCOSS
Date: 2007
-
Submissions
Minimum amount owing for energy disconnection to be permittedThe National Energy Retail Law allows for an amount to be set as a threshold below which a customer cannot be disconnected for non-payment of a bill. This consultation was to gather stakeholder input with regard to what the amount should be, whether it should be made public, and so on.
Author: VCOSS
Date: March 2012
Submission to: Australian Energy Regulator
2013 Water Price Review: Tariff Issues PaperSubmission to the Tariff Issues Paper released in the lead up the 2013 Water Price Review. Here VCOSS comments on the Essential Service Commission’s proposed approach to approving tariffs, discussing (among other things) the structure of tariffs (including, specifically, the virtue or otherwise of inclining blocks tariffs), the concessions framework, and the prospect of increasing customer choice in the way they are billed for water.
Author: VCOSS
Date: August 2011
Submission to: Essential Services Commission
Victoria-specific regulation under the National Energy Customer Framework (NECF) & Extending the jurisdiction of the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV)This joint submission with other consumer advocacy and community services organisations responds to the Victorian Government’s proposals for state-specific regulation to maintain Victoria’s robust customer protection framework in the transition to the less comprehensive national framework. It also weighs in on the Government’s considerations as to whether (and how) customers of exempt networks (such as retirement village, caravan park, and some large-scale multi-unit development residents) could feasibly be given access to the Energy and Water Ombudsman
Author: VCOSS, Consumer Action Law Centre, Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, Council on the Aging, Kildonan UnitingCare, St Vincent de Paul
Date: August 2011
Submission to: Department of Primary Industries
-
Blog posts
Everything you wanted to know about the carbon price but didn’t know where to start (05/08/2011 03:57 PM)
The carbon price will change industry and impact in some way on everyone. But there's not much to worry about for most people. Here we explain what it's about, what it will do, and what it will mean for Victorian households.
Summer concession could help vulnerable Victorians beat the heat (12/11/2010 04:18 PM)
Energy bills can be expensive and they hit vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians the hardest. Labor's proposed summer electricity concession will make a big difference, and we're calling on the other parties to make the same commitment.