Victorias Electricity Bills “Set To Soar”

abc.net.au

A study by the St Vincent de Paul Society has found Victoria's household electricity bills could rise by an average of $263 a year - or 35 per cent - when smart metres are installed.

The society's spokesman, Gavin Dufty, says pensioners, the unemployed and people with young children at home will be hit hardest by the move to time-based rates.

"Those who are home during the day are likely to have the most financial pressure put on them," he said.

"Some people will benefit by them - they'll have the lifestyles and the resources to actually shift their consumption into off-peak periods.

"However for pensioners, the disabled and people with young children, they don't have that luxury."

A Goverment spokesman says the smart metres should give consumers more control and there are concessions for people facing financial hardship.
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