Gas bill discount offered to 200,000 South Australian customers

A GAS bill discount of 11 per cent has been added to a State Government 18-per-cent-off electricity deal as a sweetener to increase uptake by needy householders.

• Electricity price hike knockback
• Power bill shock - $390 increase each year
• Bills blamed on ETSA sale
• Sign up for cheap power

A GAS bill discount of 11 per cent has been added to a State Government 18-per-cent-off electricity deal as a sweetener to increase uptake by needy householders.

The State Government will next week write to almost 200,000 customers who because of low incomes are eligible for the Origin/South Australian Concessions Energy Discount ,which could cut up to $531 off their annual electricity bill.

“Over 40,000 energy concession customers have already responded to the SACEDO,’’ the letter from ConcessionsSA director Barbara Weis states.

“Origin Energy has also created an “Origin Value” natural gas offer, providing 11 per cent discount off Origin gas usage and supply charges until 30 June 2019.’’

OFF THE RECORD: THE SA POLITICS PODCAST

Those eligible will receive the State Government letter in the next two weeks with a pre-filled-out form they need to sign and return.

The information sent to households will include rates so customers can compare those on offer to their current deal.

The offer has also been backed by South Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Ross Womersley, who said it was the best currently on the market; “We think this is very good deal and would strongly encourage people in receipt of the concession to seriously consider taking up the offer. We don’t believe there are any tricks per se’’.

The Advertiser understands the government letter is part of a push is to rectify a slower take-up of the electricity offer than expected — only one-in-five of those eligible have done so — blamed on the complexity of the energy free-market which has long created a barrier to confused customers being able to switch between around a dozen providers.

Also, with the coldest winter months approaching, there are concerns within government and the welfare community that many struggling families are dependent on gas for heating, which was not covered in the original Origin scheme.

Origin’s electricity-only offer, which began when it won a State Government tender to provide the service in December last year, has already prompted a range of discount offers by other electricity companies.

The State Government backed the Origin offer because of price, flexible payment options and the elimination of hidden costs; no late payment fees, no processing fees, no paper bill fees, no credit card fees and no exit fees.

Origin head of retail, Jon Briskin said with State Government social welfare backing the cheaper prices were an “entitlement’’ for around one fifth of the state’s lowest income customers.

“We want all South Australian energy concession customers to access the energy savings that they’re entitled to,” he said.