The Andrews Labor Government is forcing big power companies to give Victorians a better deal on their power bills.

The Labor Government will today introduce a Bill into parliament to legislate a Victorian Default Offer that will cut the cost of energy for households across the state.

The Energy Legislation Amendment (Victorian Default Offer) Bill 2019 will empower the Essential Services Commission to determine a fair price and work with retailers to enforce it.

The legislation will abolish standing energy offers and require energy retailers to offer a fairer price for energy – which could save households around $200 to $500 a year on average on their energy bills.

While the Morrison Minority Government is fighting amongst itself on energy policy, only the Labor Government is getting on with delivering lower and fairer energy prices for Victorian families.

The new measure is part of the Labor Government’s final response to the bipartisan Independent Review of the Electricity & Gas Retail Markets in Victoria.

The Independent Review – undertaken by John Thwaites, Terry Mulder and Patricia Faulkner – was the result of detailed research into energy retail prices and extensive consultation with consumers and industry.

The Review found that intervention was required to ensure better outcomes for customers and recommended a range of measures to put downward pressure on prices and protect low income and vulnerable customers.

The Victorian Default Offer builds on the Government’s work to help Victorians take control of their energy costs by putting solar panels on 700,000 homes – with nearly 10,000 Victorian households installing solar panels since August last year.

We’ve also helped more than 200,000 people compare their energy offer through our $50 Power Saving Bonus, saving on power bills.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“Hard working Victorians are sick of being ripped off by energy retailers, so we’re getting rid of these unfair deals.”

“This is just one of the ways we’re putting power back into the hands of Victorians, as we put solar panels on 700,000 homes and cut the cost of energy.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re making sure Victorians get a fair deal. Ever since the Liberals privatised our electricity, big corporations have tried to rip off consumers – enough is enough.”

“Victoria won’t rely on Scott Morrison and his colleagues to deliver good energy policy – they can’t even agree amongst themselves.”