Energy and water
Media and commentary related to our work to protect and advance consumer protections for essential services, and accelerate a just transition to net zero.
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‘The only avenue left’: Buy now, pay later used for food, bills
High-income earners who juggle school fees and mortgage repayments are among the growing number of people who rely on buy now, pay later credit to pay for essential bills, including food and energy. Research from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre found almost half (47 per cent) of more than 1000 Australian consumers used a credit…
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PIAC joins call to retrofit low-income housing to reduce energy bills
More than 90 Community and business organisations including ACOSS, GetUp, the Energy Efficiency Council, the Climate Council and PIAC have come together calling for an ambitious energy performance retrofit package for low-income housing in the budget. The groups have signed an open letter to Assistant Climate and Energy Minister Jenny McAllister, who is driving the…
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Government dragging its feet regulating Buy Now Pay Later sector, causing more grief for the vulnerable
Only a few years ago, Buy Now Pay Later was hailed as the ultimate in consumer credit innovation. The current reality is massive losses for the providers while cost-of-living pressures escalate and the most vulnerable consumers suffer most. Welfare groups are demanding regulation, David Gilchrist reports. … Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s Senior Policy Officer, Thea…
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‘Very legal loopholes’: Consumer groups seek tighter buy now, pay later curbs
Consumer groups warn buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers will continue to exploit loopholes unless the federal government imposes stricter regulations to nip the next wave of credit products in the bud. As a cost of living crisis continues to bite, consumer groups say BNPL providers – like ASX-listed Zip and US-owned Afterpay – should…
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Albanese plan has ‘dealt a blow’ to east coast gas supply
A federal government plan to lower energy bills by capping the price of gas and coal has been attacked as a heavy-handed and “radical” move that puts at risk more investment beyond Senex Energy’s decision to pause its $1 billion expansion plan in Queensland. The comments come the day after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined…
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Consumers stuck with Snowy 2’s ballooning grid costs despite NSW energy deal
The Federal Government has announced a deal with the NSW Government to finance expansion of the NSW energy grid. The Commonwealth will invest $4.7 billion to add to the state’s existing $3.1 billion commitment to support implementation of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. The federal funds will help finance infrastructure connecting New South Wales’ Renewable…
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Anthony Albanese labels NSW energy deal ‘one of the biggest announcements’ he’ll make in office
Anthony Albanese has labelled the federal government’s $5bn spend on the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project in New South Wales as one of the most significant announcements he will make as prime minister. On Wednesday Albanese and Dominic Perrottet formally announced the almost $8bn joint-funding deal with the NSW government on poles and wires to connect…
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Overhaul of energy concessions needed as three million households struggle to pay their energy bills
A report released today by social service organisations found that while around three million households receive some form of ongoing financial assistance for their energy bills, the poor design and implementation of the assistance means too many people still can’t afford the energy they need. Too many people are depriving themselves of energy taking fewer…
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Community feedback prompts changes to transmission upgrade route
The Ballarat end of the contentious VNI West transmission line may be changing, after community feedback prompted Transgrid and the energy market operator to look at other options. The feedback around land use between Bendigo and Ballarat has forced the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the transmission company to rethink a Western Renewables Link…
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2SER interview: energy reliability
According to recent media coverage, Australia is facing an escalating risk of power shortages. Some commentators are blaming the transition to clean energy, saying we’re switching off coal-powered plants without a reliable alternative to fill the gap in generation. Last week the Australian Energy Market Commission’s Reliability Panel and the Australian Energy Market Operator both released…