“The nightmare that keeps on giving”: energy bills set to rise

Electricity prices are set to rise for almost half a million Australians – that’s the latest announcement from The Australian Energy Regulator, with increases slated from July.

Residential customers in New South Wales, South Australia, and south-east Queensland will see their bills soar between 0.5% and almost 10 %, while small businesses will face increases between 0.8% and 8.5%.

The energy regulator says these prices hikes are due to rising wholesale energy and network costs. But what could these changes mean for Australia’s energy future, particularly low-income earners?

Producers:

• Jordan Zerella

Speakers:

• Alison Reeve - Climate change and energy deputy program director at Grattan Institute
• Kellie Caught - Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) program director for climate and energy
• Simon Orme - Energy economist and senior manager at Tahu Consulting