Kelly, I can tell you where it has left Queensland. We are now paying at least 50% above pre-privatisation prices. The government has no control on prices and we are looking at price increases in the order of 20% over the next 2 years.

The effect is not only on the household electricity bill. Consider the major grocery chains. The amount of power consumed in lighting and refrigeration is enormous. My local butcher's bill was in the order of $1000 per week prior to privatisation. I haven't dared to ask him what it is now. These additional cost on businesses will be paid by the Mum and Dad consumers.

My prediction is that we will suffer shortages and unreliable supplies of power as the private companies place profits ahead of infrastructure maintenance and development.

We are not immune from price rises in Victoria either. After a slick ad convinced me to change to TXU, before the next bill has even arrived, I find that the energy charge is to be increased by ten percent and the quarterly supply charge is going up by a whopping sixteen percent.

"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts"

David

It is the power supplier putting up the price, not the retailer.
Power core and city power have a $2 billion bill to cover for replacement infastructure.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=11452#194853

Sparkyq, too kind, prices went up 60% & a "price on carbon" will see us stuck with 200%, at least.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=11452#194854

VK3AUU, a mate of mine in QLD made a similar mistake, signing over to a new retailer, only to discover that there was an "exit fee" from the old retailer which was a lot more than the "saving", plus an even larger "exit fee" to escape from his new retailer.

Aahhh, the Closet Communist GAYLP, they say "fiscal conservative" but they do, $100 million a day.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=11452#194875

579, when will you ever learn?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_damned_lies,_and_statistics

"the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth" is always the exact opposite of whatever the Red/green, getup, labour, Socialist Alliance says that it is.

Why would anyone of sound mind sell off an income earning asset? The answer is corruption.We now live in an oligarchy in which powerful corporate interests control our Govts.

Paul Keating sold off the Commonwealth Bank which used to create money from nothing to equal our increases in GDP and inflation.Now private banks create this new money as debt rather than a tax credit.

This is why we have no money for infrastructure or basic services.The convicts shackles of chains have now been replaced with shackles of debt.

Privatization is the way of society, not socialism. When a good stock of private retailers are in place, good competition happens and prices will fall.
Privatized power is working well in Vic; You can switch retailers anytime.