Cheltenham’s ‘woman in the dark’ Sofia Telemzouguer to run for Bentleigh state seat on smart meter platform
AFTER spending six months in the dark, a Cheltenham woman is now trying to shine the political spotlight on smart meters.
South East
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AFTER spending six months in the dark, a Cheltenham woman is now trying to shine the political spotlight on smart meters.
Sofia Telemzouguer has officially put herself forward as People Power Victoria – No Smart Meters’ candidate for the Bentleigh electorate.
Among her goals are to create stronger protections for electricity customers, make education as accessible as possible, make housing more affordable and, at the top of the list, to repeal legislation around the compulsory installation of smart meters across the state.
She has plenty of first-hand experience with the issue, spending March until August fighting to get her lights switched back on because her energy provider United Energy cut her off for removing a smart meter.
Power has now been restored to her home after VCAT ordered United Energy to switch her back on until her hearing in March next year, but now she is looking to make sure it doesn’t happen to others.
“There are so many people who object to smart meter installation – they pose a huge security risk, they may cause fires and they can cause health issues as well,” she said.
“I’m absolutely passionate about technology, don’t get me wrong, but now I’m passionate about safe technology.”
She said she was serious about her goals and hoped to make a difference in her community and across the state.
People Power Victoria leader Marc Florio said Ms Telemzouguer’s experience had given her the right base to stand up for “the little man”.
“We believe she has the fire in her belly to represent the interests of essential services consumers, which include basically everybody, and to pursue justice across a range of issues,” Mr Florio said.
*People Power will have its official campaign launch on October 11 at the Oakleigh Grammar Community Conference Centre, 77-81 Willesden Rd, Oakleigh.
