Hon Roger Sowry MP National Party Energy Spokesman

06 August 2004

Minister must be comfortable with power price rises

National Party Energy spokesman Roger Sowry says he is "surprised" by Genesis Energy's decision to increase power prices for 77,000 Wellington customers.

"The Minister for State Owned Enterprises must be aware and comfortable with the rises. After all, the President of the Labour Party is on the Genesis Board.

"The move to increase prices is somewhat surprising, since Genesis has been on a hugely expensive marketing campaign to attract new customers by offering lower prices.

"It was just a few weeks ago that the Energy Minister was criticising the company for resisting attempts by the Government to impose special new rates for smaller domestic users.

"Surely the public could be forgiven for expecting the same standard would be applied by the Government in response to the latest rises," says Mr Sowry.

ENDS

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