Chris Hipkins
Associate spokesperson for Energy

17 December 2010
Media Statement

Government failing to address rising power costs

Today's announcement of a virtual asset swap between state owned electricity generators will do nothing to address major concerns about rising power prices, Labour's associate Energy spokesperson Chris Hipkins said today.

"All these changes do is reinforce the failed 'more market is best' approach that Max Bradford inflicted on us in the 1990s. He promised us power prices would go down as a result of his market reforms, instead they have shot up at an alarming rate," Chris Hipkins said.

"During the last election campaign National MPs and candidates were out on the hustings giving New Zealanders the clear impression that a National government would lower power prices. It's yet another promise they have failed to deliver on.

“Families struggling to make ends meet and scrape together enough money to pay their power bills will get little comfort from Gerry Brownlee's advice that they need to 'shop around' for lower prices.

"Does Gerry Brownlee expect our pensioners to be ringing around different electricity suppliers every week trying to find the lowest price?” said Chris Hipkins.

Mr Hipkins said the National government had ducked making some tough decisions in the electricity sector and consumers would pay the price.

"Gerry Brownlee has even ducked for cover on the issue of smart meters. Instead of ensuring that smart meters help to facilitate more efficient use of electricity and encourage customers to switch between companies, Gerry Brownlee is allowing electricity companies to use smart meters to reinforce their existing market positions.

"Every week we are hearing from Kiwis who are struggling to get by because of National's mismanagement of the economy. Power prices are a major issue and John Key's government is doing nothing about it," said Chris Hipkins.

ENDS

© Scoop Media