Kiwis deserve answers on rising power bills

The Electricity Authority’s investigation into rising electricity prices must be rigorous and uncover exactly where price increases are coming from, says Labour’s Energy spokesperson David Shearer.

“New Zealanders know that power prices are out of control. That’s why Labour launched our NZ Power policy last year to lower bills by hundreds of dollars a year.

“They also deserve answers about where those increases are coming from.

“Yet this is the first real interest the Authority has shown in power increases since it was formed in 2010. It's welcome, but it’s about time.

“Interestingly, it announced the decision just two hours after I released my private member’s bill that will unbundle power bills to show Kiwis exactly where costs come from – the power company, the lines company or wherever.

“The Government has consistently told the public that it would hold the increase in power prices steady. John Key said in 2009 their reforms would ‘help constrain electricity prices’.
But in the past year prices have increased at four times the rate of inflation.

“Right now, across New Zealand, Kiwis are getting their bills showing power increases of up to 11 per cent. People are furious their bills have gone up so astronomically. Sadly the Government doesn’t seem to care.

“What’s needed is action not words.

“Under Labour power companies will no longer be able to blame lines companies or Transpower for the increases or vice versa.

“The electricity industry is conducting a blame game at the expense of New Zealand families. Labour will make sure that stops,” says David Shearer.

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