QLD:Families, pensioners hit by power costs

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2011
QLD:Families, pensioners hit by power costs

Nearly six-thousand households in Queensland had their electricity cut in the September
quarter last year because they hadn't paid the bill.

Pensioners accounted for more than one-thousand of the disconnections.

In the same quarter more than 6000 people were participating in a hardship program
as they struggled to pay off their electricity debt.

Opposition Families spokesman TED MALONE says the figures show higher electricity bills
and the rising cost of living are biting.

He says with the recent natural disasters further pushing up the cost of essentials
like groceries Queensland families and seniors can't afford to pay much more.

AAP RTV stg/sw

KEYWORD: ELECTRICITY (BRISBANE)

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