Families and business across the Valley will wear the impact of skyrocketing electricity prices, with the Victorian Default Offer 2023-24 Draft Decision proposing a 31.1 per cent rise in costs for households and 32.2 per cent for small businesses next year.
The Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said that when the Victorian Default Offer was introduced the Andrews Government claimed it was moving to ensure consumers weren’t “ripped off” by energy retailers.
“Instead of bringing costs down, electricity prices are exploding under the Andrews Government’s default market offer, and families, small businesses and pensioners are wearing the hit,” Mr Cameron said.
“A $250 Power Saving Bonus offered by the Andrews Government does precious little to take the edge off for families whose power bills will rise by an average of $426 next year, and for small businesses whose power bills will rise by an average of $1738.
“Every day my office is contacted by hard-working people across the Latrobe Valley who are at their wits’ end with the rising cost of living and are struggling more than ever to make ends meet.
“Interest rates have risen for 10 consecutive months, the cost of daily necessities like groceries and petrol are skyrocketing with no end in sight.
“People are having to choose between feeding their families or powering their homes, and that is a decision nobody should be forced to make.”
