Many Novacastrians Paying More for Electricity Bills this Week

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Some Newcastle residents will be paying more for electricity this week, following a number of letters being sent out by Energy Australia warning of a price hike.

Newcastle MP, Sharon Claydon said she was contacted by a number of residents who received letters from Energy Australia, warning of the increase as a result of increasing supply costs.

Energy Australia states in the letter, "After two years of holding prices flat while supply costs have increased significantly, we've made the difficult decision to adjust our prices with inflation."

The MP is criticizing the Federal Government for asserting energy prices are going down, when whole sale power prices have apparently risen by more than 20 percent since the appointment of Energy Minister Angus Taylor in August 2018.

"At a time when electricity disconnections are already at record highs, and we've got incomes stagnating or indeed going backwards in some cases, another spike in electricity costs will just be the straw that breaks the camels back," she said.

Sharon Claydon says more focus on renewable energies would help combat these price hikes.

"We're in this crazy situation where we've got an incredible wealth of renewable resources in Australia, we could be riding a wave of renewable energy investment and forcing those power prices down," she said.

"But instead investment in renewable energy plummeted by more than 60 percent in the last year."

Retailers Experiencing a Downturn

BY TYLER FARDELL

It appears retailers across the country and the Hunter are feeling the pinch, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics today releasing figures which show an increasing downturn in retail turnover.

The ABS data shows a 0.6% percent fall in retail turnover for August this year compared to the same time last year.

Following this, the National Retail Association is hoping the decision by the Fair Work Commission to cut Sunday and Penalty rates won't be overturned, with fears many retailers would be unable to open on Sundays as they couldn't afford to pay their employee's.

NRA Chief Executive Dominique Lamb says overturning the decision would be a disadvantage for everyone.

"If retailers can't afford to open their doors on a Sunday, in an environment where consumers are more price-driven than ever before, are spoiled for choice by international competitors who are not subjected to the same cost imposts our retailers are, and expect to be able to shop seven days a week, then everyone loses out", she said.

The area's which received the biggest downturn are cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (-1.3%) and household goods (-1%).

While there's not one key factor to blame for the low retail turnover, CEO of the Hunter Business Chamber Bob Hawes has an idea.

"Retailers and consumers are struggling with the rise in electricity prices and then the retailers try to make back the money by increasing prices of products", he said.

"Hopefully the retail industry can recover in time for christmas".