Should Energy Providers Start a Rebate or Concession Due to Increased Energy Usage/Social Isolation/Working from Home

LBlitz001 on 19/03/2020 - 11:40
Last edited 19/03/2020 - 11:56 by 1 other user

So given the current climate and more people are being encouraged to stay and work from home for weeks/potentially months, should we be pushing our energy providers to provide concession and rebates for the next few months of energy usage?

I don’t know about you, but job stability is a all time low, financial strain is getting worst every day, the last thing I want is a giant energy bill because work/school/uni has been cancelled and I’m forced to self isolate/work/study from home..

So, should energy providers profit off the COVID or should they relax the charges and help out those already stressed and struggling? I’ve already emailed my provider, perhaps you should do the same.

Poll Options expired

  • 7
    Yes - help us out
  • 27
    No - profit off the social isolation
Education & Work

Comments

  • HighAndDry on 19/03/2020 - 11:42
    +2

    They're profiting off of services rendered. It's not like they're increasing prices.

  • Baysew on 19/03/2020 - 11:44
    +3

    Shouldn't you be asking your employer for assistance? Wouldn't they be saving on reduced electricity costs? (And Toilet Paper)

  • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2020 - 11:59

    My job stability is at a good high

    • Blitz001 on 19/03/2020 - 13:11
      +1

      You a shelf packer?

      • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2020 - 13:21
        +3

        Toilet paper maker

  • Ocker on 19/03/2020 - 12:10
    +3

    Keep a record of the days so you can claim on your tax return

  • spiff on 19/03/2020 - 12:16
    +5

    Use your savings on petrol/public transport to pay the electricity bill

    • tryagain on 19/03/2020 - 12:22

      This

    • netjock on 19/03/2020 - 12:26
      +3

      That is unAustralian. We like to double dip the chip, if not called out go for the triple dip!

      • Blitz001 on 19/03/2020 - 13:10

        Exactly, might flog a few of my spare bog rolls and really make some fat stacks off this virus.

  • one man clan on 19/03/2020 - 12:19
    -3

    I don't know that they have an obligation to do so legally (at this stage) but morally they probably do and I wouldn't be surprised if companies started making such announcements (similar to what Telstra have done with data). I doubt it would be general but targeted at specific groups, probably including those laid off due to coronavirus etc.

  • PensionerXXL on 19/03/2020 - 12:25

    really dumb. energy companies may be impacted by covid19 and have to run with reduced staff, if you add mother nature to that equation it may make things a hell of a lot worse for us - and extend delays on repairs etc

  • ihbh on 19/03/2020 - 12:26

    While you're at it, should supermarkets provide rebates/concessions during these times?

    What about landlords?

    • zonra on 19/03/2020 - 12:54
      +2

      And the neighbours, and their kids.
      All must donate to me.
      It’s all about me!

      *Typical thought process these days.

      • Blitz001 on 19/03/2020 - 13:08

        Think I might just run an extension cord from the common area power point actually, thanks for the tip!

  • kahn on 19/03/2020 - 13:21
    +1

    The answer depends if you voted for the LibLabs.

    • HighAndDry on 19/03/2020 - 15:16
      +1

      Read below, it's "Laberals" now!

  • jelko on 19/03/2020 - 13:23
    +3

    LOL. What an entitled generation. You use, you pay.

  • JimmyF on 19/03/2020 - 13:35
    +3

    So, should energy providers profit off the COVID

    Sorry? Did I miss the price rise put out by energy providers?

    Charging your 'normal' prices isn't profiteering.

    the last thing I want is a giant energy bill

    Then don't turn on the AC/Heater 24*7, don't leave all the lights on, or stand there looking into the fridge for 20 mins at a time at nothing to eat.

    Your wasteful power usage isn't the energy providers issue.

    Do you think you should get a FREE power bill because of COVID-19? Cool, how do you think will work? You don't pay them, they don't have money to pay their employees, so they need to work for free or get laid off?

    I mean if you're going to offer your services aka do your job for free, then sure that will work. No one gets charged anything and yet no one gets paid anything also.

  • jelko on 19/03/2020 - 13:59
    +2

    What about all the money you're saving by working from home?

    No need to take public transport
    No need to take your car (fuel + running costs)
    No need to pay for parking
    No need to buy lunch or get a morning coffee
    No need to put on clean clothes every day

    Then there are other cost savings

    Not contracting Coronavirus means:

    No need to visit a doctor
    No need to purchase medication
    No need to send family elsewhere

    Maybe you should stop buying lottery tickets
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8174666/redir

    • ozhunter on 19/03/2020 - 14:03
      +2

      Yea, but I use more electricity/gas so obviously someone else has to pay for that /s.

    • SnoozeAndLose on 19/03/2020 - 15:51

      No need to take public transport

      I ride to work

      No need to take your car (fuel + running costs)

      As above

      No need to pay for parking

      As Above

      No need to buy lunch or get a morning coffee

      Bring lunch every day and use company microwave to heat up, free coffee, milk, sugar and hot water.

      No need to visit a doctor

      Still would get sick due to weather

      No need to purchase medication

      No need to send family elsewhere

      No need to put on clean clothes every day

      I dress casually for work, the clothes need to clean anyway.

      No need to visit a doctor

      Still will get different/same sickness due to winter weather

      No need to purchase medication

      As above

  • Diji1 on 19/03/2020 - 14:54

    In 2016 Professor Rodney Sims said electricity privatisation was severely damaging the economy.

    In 2017 the ACCC stated that the electricity privatisation is economically "unsustainable". Because it was making large and small enterprises unviable due to the money being removed from the economy. In other words an economic catastrope.

    But you think "concessions" are in order. WTF LMAO.

    How about nationalise it so economic growth can continue.

    Disregarding coronavirus entirely, privatised electricity has been an economic and social disaster compared to nationalised electricity. In simple terms the economic disaster is caused by your money being removed and not spent in the economy. It just leaves the country.

    The Greens are going to nationalise electricity again to stop the disaster.

    Voting Laberal is a sign that you want privatsation to continue.

  • brad1-8tsi on 19/03/2020 - 15:26

    Ask your employer for a subsidy.

    Don't forget that you claim claim the work portion of your electricity (and other utilities) on your tax.

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