Cost of Electricity

[PCH (Paul)]

Originally Posted by supernova1965

I find it sad that this kind of thread is inundated when JJJ's thread on the recent Earthquake is virtually ignored in comparison of numbers of replies.

Well what exactly are you saying Warren?

If I recall correctly, which I do, you have 4 or 5 posts in this thread, but only one in the other thread that you mentioned.

Clearly, it shows that people, including you, feel more inclined to comment on something that is hurting us here right now here in Australia, than something that may hurt someone else a long way away from here.

Doesn't mean we don't feel for them though, when and if it happens

[TrevorW]

This may enlighten a few as to the reasons behind higher energy costs if you want a read

http://www.advocacypanel.com.au/docu...stributors.pdf

[CDKPhil]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

This may enlighten a few as to the reasons behind higher energy costs if you want a read

http://www.advocacypanel.com.au/docu...stributors.pdf

Thanks for the link.
Man what a convoluted system.

What ever happened to the KISS formula.

[Exfso (Peter)]

That is one heavy read I must admit. One needs to be a Rhodes Scholar to understand the nits and grits I reckon. Having said all that and browsed the letter, it still does not alter the fact that people are suffering with these ridiculous increases getting out of control. When the needs of investors and shareholders come into play, the big boys want profits and really dont give a toss how they get them and it is usually the low to middle income people who suffer as a result. The fat cats sit back and laugh all the way to the bank. This is the same in almost all facets of business.
From what I could see quickly in the letter it appears that the Govt run suppliers are more expensive than those run by private concerns, the mind boggles really considering that at least here in SA since it went private, the cost of power has risen at a ridiculous level compared to when it was state owned. Somehow something does not add up, end result we are copping it where it hurts.

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Originally Posted by PCH

Well what exactly are you saying Warren?

If I recall correctly, which I do, you have 4 or 5 posts in this thread, but only one in the other thread that you mentioned.

Clearly, it shows that people, including you, feel more inclined to comment on something that is hurting us here right now here in Australia, than something that may hurt someone else a long way away from here.

Doesn't mean we don't feel for them though, when and if it happens

What I am saying is that people forget that we all live on one planet and are one people what effects anyone on this planet effects everyone. We are not Australian's, Americans, English, Acehians or Calathumbian we are Earthlings and it is about time we start to live that way. Some science fiction writer once wrote it is only when every person has enough to survive that our children will truly be safe.

[CDKPhil]

From what I can gather, it is the AER that has been instrumental in the price hike.

"In 2006, the jurisdictions voluntarily transferred regulatory authority to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), which commenced as the regulator of electricity distribution
22networks on 1 January 2006. The AER has suggested that this would promote national consistency, reduce regulatory costs, and more clearly separate regulation from policy. However, Section 3 shows the outcome has been significantly higher prices and lower productivity."

[TrevorW]

What screwed WA consumers was a change of Govt in Sept 2008 with the first budget laid down in 2009

2011 increases

• 5% for households and small businesses from 1 July
• 13–29% for large businesses from 1 July

2010 increases

• 7.5% in 1 April and 10% in 1 July for households
• 7.5% in April and 10% in July for small businesses
• 7.5% in April and up to 10% in July for large businesses

2009 increases

• 10% in 1 April and 15% in 1 July for households
• 5% in April and 10% in July for small businesses
• 0% in April and in July for large businesses

Before 2009

Before 2009, prices for residential customers had not increased since 1997/98 (excluding GST). Prices for small business customers had not increased since 1991/92 (excluding GST).

[marki]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Outside? so this 1.3 Billion are now "outsiders" oh I see, trash, meaningless non Aussies, who cares huh?

But you are absolutely right on this sad state of affairs with our indigenous poeple Marki...but none of these genuinely disadvantaged Australians are on this thread in an astronomical Web community of Naglers, Digital focusers and I-Pads complaining about their increased power bills...are they..?

Mike

In relation to the aussie tax dollar you are dead right, the 1.3 billion don't matter. People who get on their soapbox and preach differently are obviously blind to what is happening in their own back yard especially when political agenda's are at its heart. Now I earn well above the "average wage" whatever that may be and price hikes would have to be large to affect me in any way so why should I care? As part of my job description I am required to coordinate 1475 students in community outreach. As part of the WA curriculum high school kids are required to complete a number of hours community service helping those less fortunate than themselves. This means I have to keep close relationships with agencies like the Good Sammy's, Salvo's, Vinnies etc etc. It also means I have to participate myself in fundraising events, house visits, soup kitchens, emergency aid and so on as I need to provide the kids with as many opportunities as possible. In short I get to see much more than I would like and the situation is desperate for so many people who are not able to cope even though it is often kept in house with most of the general public having no idea. Whats more we have a boarding program where 40 indiginous kids from the far north of WA (Tanami desert) are invited to attend the college for the full 6 years of high school, most are illiterate. A number of these kids are left to their own devices by alcoholic and drug abusing parents from as young as 5 years old. They arrive riddled with health problems such as scabbies, nits, rotten teeth, malnutrition, eye and ear infections (some are deaf in one ear) and so on. Some are habitual glue/petrol sniffers and also have drug addictions. The first year their stomachs struggle to deal with 3 square meals a day and they are often complaining about the pain. Many spend their lunch time in my office which I share with the assistant principle in charge of boarding. Many a time I have gone to write on the white board with my markers only to find the tips missing. So addicted to solvent abuse these kids pinch them whilst I am not looking and chew the ends to get the ethanol (there tounges are blue, red, green etc). They also have a strong addiction to aerosol, mortien included and we must supply roll on deordourants and the like to avoid the temptation. Worst of all when it all gets too much they first fight each other and when that does not resolve the problem they tie a rope to the nearest convient object and try to hang themselves. I am not being frivolous in saying the 1.3 billion don't count, I just think we need to fix our own house first. A good Gov't could do a lot more than we are currently experiencing by taking responsibilty for the fundermental utilities and making sure all have equal access to this countries success. Yes I do care but home first as many of the countries with large numbers of poor (e.g. india) have enough resources of their own if only they had the will.

Mark

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Mikie, you old lefty, off taunting everyone again. Yes we live in a fortunate country, but remember everything is relative. Combine all the other bills and life can start to be onerous. If it is this bad now how bad will things be when we retire? That is what I am concerned about. How will I pay my bills then? Lucky....Hmmm... Maybe.

If you think we have it generally bad in Australia now...then I am afraid there is no other country that you can go to and make it any better - what are you benchmarking us on how good does it have to be before you can accept it just a little? .....I give up

That's it finito..double promise

Mike

[PCH (Paul)]

Originally Posted by supernova1965

What I am saying is that people forget that we all live on one planet and are one people what effects anyone on this planet effects everyone. We are not Australian's, Americans, English, Acehians or Calathumbian we are Earthlings and it is about time we start to live that way. Some science fiction writer once wrote it is only when every person has enough to survive that our children will truly be safe.

Klatu Berada Nikto - Gort Beringa !

And anyway, why would it be left to a science fiction writer to come up with that profundity? Why wouldn't a million philanthropists and philosophers have thought of it first. Answer me that Earthling

[acropolite (Phil)]

The real problem here is not energy prices, rather than mismanagement of our utilities by our elected representatives. Our utilities have been sold to prop up unsustainable spending by our governments, the buyers are basically doing the same as the US utilities do, i.e. sit on their hands and wait untill demand exceeds supply, then jack the prices sky high.

In my own state of Tasmania we have the dubious advantage of having a state owned electricity system, hampered by an abysmal business model, foisted upon us by a non existant competitive environment (and the ACCC) that simply doesn't exist here.
The single entity Hydro Tasmania has been split in to no less than 5 companies, each with it's own bloated operational structure. To make matters worse, our Government has "engineered" donations in the form of sponsorship by some of these companies to Victorian AFL football clubs.
Then of course there is the subsidising of power to the big smelters compliments of the taxpayer, these companies get their power at a small fraction (lesss than 20%) of the cost to the average consumer.

Our Tasmanian state government is very good gouging the taxpayer then handing out corporate welfare, not so good at maintaining our schools, police and hospitals.

The moral of the story is to examine the mechanisms that have delivered your utilities in to private hands and examine what benefits have flowed on to you if any, then think carefully the next time you vote.