Author Archives: Emma O'Neill

May 22

Energy and health

Energy costs are a big issue for all Victorians, especially those with health conditions or disability.

Apr 4

Fair energy outcomes for Victorians

Response to the Essential Services Commission draft advice on the Victorian Default Offer methodology Joint submission by the Victorian Council

Mar 18

Navigating bill stress

If you're struggling to pay high energy bills, your energy company must help you.

Feb 27

Better energy deal information

The new Victorian energy fact sheet will replace existing price and product information statements and offer summaries.

Jan 31

Trimming the fat from electricity prices

A deliberately confusing and complex electricity market is allowing retailers to charge Victorians more.

Dec 11

Supporting energy customers experiencing family violence

Response to the Essential Services Commission draft principles and actions for family violence assistance

Dec 4

Victorian Energy Upgrades

VCOSS is concerned the VEU program is under-used by people on low incomes, renters and people with health and disability

Nov 22

Reduce emissions and bills with clean energy

New, clean energy is non-negotiable if we’re going to prevent the worst of climate change and reduce power bills over

Nov 9

Battling On: Persistent Energy Hardship

This report estimates 180,000 Victorian households (7.3%) experience persistent payment difficulty.

Nov 8

Help asylum seekers afford energy and water basics

Not all asylum seekers are living in detention centres. Some are living in the Victorian community, in extremely difficult circumstances.

Oct 17

Solar panels are great, but so is a healthy, liveable home

Home solar could get a huge kick-along in Victoria over the next few years. Under the ‘Solar Homes’ program, Labor

Oct 11

Knowing the best energy offer

VCOSS welcomes 'best offer' notifications on energy bills and billing change notices.

Oct 4

Now more than ever, Victoria needs an army of financial counsellors

With household debt at a record high, even slight interest rate rises can push family budgets to breaking point. Wages

Apr 3

A fair energy market for people on low incomes

Is a 'Basic Standing Offer' for power users a good idea?

Mar 13

Getting non-licensed electricity provider registration right

VCOSS response to registration guideline for non-licensed electricity providers. In Victoria, most electricity is provided by businesses licensed by the

Feb 12

Introduce new minimum rental standards

For many Victorians, rental homes will be homes for life – places where we grow up, raise a family, work,

Feb 8

Quality and safety for aged care residents

Older Australians deserve a residential aged care system where they are treated with dignity and respect, where their care needs

Jan 29

Minimum Electricity Feed-In Tariffs

VCOSS is keen to ensure minimum feed-in tariffs do not increase energy bills for non-solar, grid-dependent households, and negate the

Dec 5

Fixed benefit periods notification obligations

VCOSS supports amendments that would ensure Victorian energy customers are notified about changes to, or the expiry of, a fixed

Dec 1

Building financial capability

While financial literacy and capability programs are only one factor in achieving financial wellbeing, they help reduce vulnerability to financial

Nov 22

Retail electricity pricing

VCOSS is very pleased the ACCC is undertaking this inquiry and exercising its powers to compel information from retailers. We

Nov 10

Protecting people with payment difficulties

On 10 October 2017 the Essential Services Commission released a draft guidance note outlining its approach to promoting and enforcing compliance with

Sep 4

Integrated care at home for older Australians

VCOSS strongly supports increasing consumer choice and empowering older people to have greater control over the services they access. But

Aug 10

Power Struggles — Everyday battles to stay connected

We live in tough energy times. Power prices keep going up, well beyond inflation, wages, and income support payments. Staying

Jul 27

We need a Victorian Energy Broker to take the power back

Shopping around can reduce your power bill, but Victorians shouldn’t be left to navigate this jungle alone. The government should

Jul 12

Staying connected

Victorians are being pushed to the edge by electricity price rises. Our bills are now the second highest in Australia

Jun 19

Helping people to stay connected

It is increasingly tough to stay connected to power and providing support for people in payment difficulty is more important

May 5

Justice

Among welcome measures, Victoria's new 'supermax' youth jail represents a missed opportunity to create a world-class youth justice system.

May 4

Cost of living

Subsidised energy efficiency upgrades, support for choosing energy retailers and investment in financial counselling are good measures for low-income households

Apr 18

Preventing financial crisis and exclusion

VCOSS views the proposed redesign as an opportunity to strengthen, rather than diminish, financial wellbeing and capability services, particularly at

Navigation