Date: November 28, 2023Author: Editor, cairnsnews 12 Comments
Letter to the Editor
Please see the response I received from my Power Company today clarifying how the changes to Energy Concessions will apply. I then called my power company, Tango Energy to enquire if the new changes would directly impact my current Pension Card concession discount to my quarterly bills would be impacted. Their response was as follows –
“You are currently receiving the Annual Electricity Concession, and also the Controlled load concession. As of the 1st December the Govt are no longer paying the Controlled Load Concession, and the Service to Property Concession. This means you will lose the Controlled load Concession. Over the last 4 Quarters, the total discount applied to your account was $58.94, or approximately $14-$15 per quarter. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the impact of these changes, or what assistance may be available to you, call the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing on ph: 1300 475 170″
I expressed strong concerns to my Energy Company saying this is just a “fiddling of the books” to save the Government’s budget bottom line, because they know that Concession card holders are the most vulnerable in the community and would be less likely to know their rights and jump through the Bureaucratic hoops to apply for available assistance. It is clear these changes have been made after the Government calculated they would lock in a budget saving year on year. And given Australia already has the lowest welfare payments of all 38 OECD countries, this is just the latest kick in the guts to the most vulnerable in the community.
Regards,
David A.
Victoria
Nelle's journey 