Shop around for cheapest electricity

Energy Minister Mark Bailey told this week's SEQ electricity deregulation forum the state would pay to run a four-year education campaign to teach vulnerable customers how to find the best deal.

The state spoke with 40 community organisations including Queensland Council of Social Services, AGL Energy, St Vincent de Paul Society and the Redland-based Council on the Ageing.

As part of the campaign, the state will give $1.2million to Queensland Council of Social Services to build to help the elderly struggling with higher energy and water bills.

The bid to educate people on finding a cheap electricity provider followed an online war of words over electricity pricing late last month.

Cleveland MP Mark Robinson slammed the state for failing to educate Redland electricity users about deregulation prior to the event and had not explained how it would affect prices. 

Mr Bailey returned fire denying claims of price hikes for Redland consumers and said many customers might even get price cuts after deregulation.

Under the education campaign, AGL Energy will provide $500,000 for community grants and RDCOTA will also help seniors find the best ways to cut back electricity costs and make ends meet.

Redlands Council on the Ageing spokesman Mark Tucker-Evans welcomed the state move to inform consumers about electricity costs and how to take advantage of the deregulated market.

"Many consumers, particularly some older people, find it hard to manage their electricity costs because they find their electricity bills hard to understand," he said.  

"This funding will go a long way to assist people to better manage their electricity costs."  

Capalaba MP Don Brown said the education campaign was needed as the deregulated market would bolster competition giving electricity customers a wider choice of products and deals.

He said the funding was to help consumers get the most out of the retail electricity reforms and find the best deals.

“We want to give everyone information about energy pricing and guide people to hardship assistance, so they get the tools to shop around and negotiate with retailers for the best energy deals available," he said.

Queensland Council of Social Service’s Mark Henley said it was vital to ensure all electricity consumers, particularly low-income households and disadvantaged customers, were informed.

AGL’s Head of Government & Community Relations Tony Chappel said AGL has a long-standing commitment to supporting communities.

St Vincent de Paul Society manager Gavin Dufty said electricity reforms across the South East could affect many community groups.

“Energy affordability is a major challenge for the community, and we recognise that industry has an important role to play in working with governments and community groups to deliver effective support for vulnerable energy consumers.”