“The Minister of Energy has been sitting on his hands so long now in regards to electricity power prices he must be
developing a severe case of cramp in them,” said New Zealand First’s Energy Spokesperson, Peter Brown MP.
“With Transalta changing their pricing structures from 1 August which will increase electricity charges to small users,
namely the elderly and low income people and Simon Terry Associates releasing a report stipulating line companies are
massively overcharging, surely it must be time the Minister actually DID something to address power prices.
“When in opposition the Minister Pete Hodgson was very vocal indeed on power pricing and his concern for the public.
Since he has become the Minister he has done nothing except spend $850,000 of tax payers money on a review. The review
effectively was little more than a word feast and told us little we did not already know.
“I call on the Minister to regulate lines companies, and to take a close look at what retailers like Transalta are
doing. Transalta appears to be well on track to penalising further those members of our society who can least afford
it,” concluded Peter Brown.
ENDS