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The Energy and Water Ombudsman’s revelations of a 47 per cent rise in the reported number of households struggling with high energy bills in the last year are a demonstration that Far South Coast seniors cannot afford the Rees Government's electricity price hikes Andrew Constance said today.

FAR SOUTH COAST SENIORS AND LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS HARDEST HIT BY LABOR’S MISMANAGEMENT OF ENERGY SECTOR

The Energy and Water Ombudsman reported that the increase in electricity and gas prices have resulted in a record number of complaints about the billing practices of utilities companies while growing numbers of people face disconnection.

”Far South Coast residents are already struggling with the increasing cost of electricity and unfortunately EWONS’s reports will only get worse over the coming years with IPART’s 20% annual rise factored in from the next financial year,” Mr Constance said.

“From July 1 this year electricity customers across the region payed at least 20% more on their energy bills, becoming the victim of State Labor’s 14 years of mismanagement of the energy sector.

“The incompetent Rees Labor Government has ripped $11.4 billion out of the State’s electricity system and failed to use any of it to ensure that our power supply kept pace with population growth and industry needs.

“What’s worse is the city centric Rees Labor Government has already committed to spending proceeds from the sale of energy assets on Sydney’s transport infrastructure.

“The Premier is yet to make mention of any money to go to regional infrastructure projects.  

“This broken State Labor Government has proven time and time again it simply cannot manage NSW’s vital infrastructure and sadly it’s the NSW community who are suffering as a result,” he said.