Headline: John Key out of touch on power prices
By siding with the big energy companies and defending power price rises, the Prime Minister is showing how out of touch he is with ordinary New Zealanders, the Green Party said today.
“John Key’s position will be of little comfort to those New Zealanders living in dread of their monthly power bills. Mr Key needs to put himself in the position of struggling households instead of defending the big power companies.”
Residential power prices have risen by 20% under National, a $360 a year increase for a typical family, and are set to increase even more with large price increases being announced across the country.
The Green Party has announced a suite of Energy Freedom policies that will reduce families’ power bills: NZ Power with Progressive Pricing, more funding for home insulation, an end to fixed daily lines charges, and Solar Homes. Further announcements are planned.
“It’s ironic that John Key is defending big energy companies’ stranglehold on the market while the Green Party is pushing for more competition. Our NZ Power policy will ensure independent generators and retailers have access to the market, so that consumers can reap the benefits of a bigger, more level playing field,” said Dr Norman.
“At the moment the big power companies are profiting at the expense of families and businesses. Something has to change, because excessive electricity prices are a deadweight on our economy and a drain on strained family budgets,” said Dr Norman.
“The Green Party will be campaigning on cheaper power prices this election because families have had enough of National’s inaction.
“Unlike the National Government, the Greens are not prepared to tolerate the status quo, which is working for the energy company executives but not for ordinary New Zealanders,” said Dr Norman.
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