Pansy Wong National Energy Spokesperson

12 October 2001

Consumer Protection Bill - about turn on electricity

Domestic electricity users were deprived of early protection now being offered by the Consumer Protection (Definition of Goods and Services) Bill because of petty politicking by Labour and the Alliance, says Pansy Wong, National's Energy Spokesperson.

"In July this year, National's proposed amendment to the Electricity Industry Bill to include electricity within the Consumer Guarantees Act was ignored, voted down by the Labour and Alliance Government when it was most needed.

"During July and August, electricity users were subjected to price hikes, companies refusing to accept consumers who wanted to change their supplier and power supplies being cut off while the Government refused to support National's amendment to include electricity within the Act.

"It is unacceptable that the Deputy Prime Minister now wants to claim credit by amending the Consumer Guarantees Act to include electricity within its definitions. Where was Mr Anderton when the elderly had to go to bed in the early evening to avoid using electricity and household power was cut?" asked Mrs Wong.

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