Redfern Legal Centre has a long history of providing assistance, advice and advocacy to the local community, including many clients with problems involving access to energy.
We have seen the significant impact which disconnection from energy can have upon vulnerable people.
Socially disadvantaged tenants are critically affected by recent energy price rises and account for a disproportionally high rate of energy disconnection. We are concerned that a prepayment scheme will increase the likelihood of disconnection for low-income earners.
We recommend that:
- The Australian Energy Regulator collect information on self-disconnection to offer assistance and that prepaid meters have a reporting system in place to identify and monitor self-disconnection
- Retailers be compelled to provide competitive price structuring for prepaid services, communicated clearly, simply and consistently to consumers
- The cost of rolling out prepaid meters not be passed on to consumers who already struggle with energy affordability
- A range of transaction mechanisms be available for prepayment in order to avoid inaccessibility