WA Households Now Being Disconnected Every 30 Minutes for Non-Payment of Power Bills

11th May 2022

The spiralling cost of living pressures Western Australians are now enduring has been highlighted  by new figures that show one home in the State is being disconnected from power every thirty  minutes because of non-payment of electricity bills. 

Dr David Honey, WA Liberal Leader said tomorrow’s State Budget had to urgently alleviate these  cost-of-living pressures that were pushing more Western Australian families into real poverty. 

“During March 2022 alone, 1,466 homes had their power disconnected in Western Australia or one  every 30 minutes for non-payment of power bills. 

“This is by far the highest number of monthly electricity disconnections since the moratorium on  power disconnections ended in mid-2021. 

“A new class of people living in real poverty is being created in Western Australia with major non for-profit organisations such as Anglicare and Foodbank now reporting a surge in the number of  people seeking assistance who had jobs and mortgages and now cannot afford to pay for food and  rent. 

“Funds from the multi billion State budget surplus tomorrow must deliver financial relief to these  Western Australians who are now struggling to even keep a roof over their heads,” he said. 

Dr Steve Thomas, Shadow Treasurer added that these power disconnection figures once again  highlighted the need for cost of living relief in the budget. 

“This relief will likely include an electricity rebate, which is a move I would welcome from the  Government, but a freeze on government fees and charges would go even further to support  vulnerable families” Dr Thomas said. 

“The Mc-Gowan’s Government’s multibillion-dollar surplus should be urgently used to give WA  families some cost-of-living relief. 

“Power charges are predicted in the Budget papers to increase 1.75% next financial year which  means that average electricity bill for a WA family would rise to $1,810 a year. 

“With food prices, rents and interest rates expected to continue to rise, many families will struggle  to pay this rise in power prices.  

Dr Thomas reiterated his call for the massive surplus expected in the state budget to be put  towards cost of living relief, economic reform and paying down state debt.  

“Every dollar counts for families in financial hardship and that is why supporting the community  must be a priority in tomorrow’s State budget” he said. “A freeze on all government fees and  charges would give the greatest level of support.” 

Ends.

Media contact: Ned Rowsthorn 0488 199 728