Brown Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Brown Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:627;Page:22121] 
4.  
PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Energy 
: What has been the percentage increase for fixed and variable electricity prices since 1999 and what solutions does he have if any to reduce the price of electricity to consumers? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of Energy) 
: 
 Variable charges for consumers have increased by between 46 percent and 66 percent. Fixed charges have increased by 25 percent for those on options other than the low-tariff options and fixed charges have decreased by 50 percent for consumers on the low fixed-charge tariff options. 
Peter Brown 
: Is he aware just how detrimental these increasing power prices are for people on fixed incomes—in particular the elderly who are now going to bed wrapped in blankets failing to put their heaters on having short showers limiting their cooking and living in fear and dread of receiving their next power bill? 
Hon Dr Michael Cullen 
: Most of us go to bed with blankets. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I note Dr Cullen’s comments and I think that most of us do go to bed with blankets. The changes this Government has made to superannuation are very important but we are now seeing the effect of the rundown of the Maui gasfield under the previous National Government and its active discouragement of people who were exploring for replacement gas. That practice has changed under this Government. 
Mark Peck 
: What steps has the Government taken to lower the cost of electricity for low-volume users such as pensioners? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Our Government is committed to keeping electricity affordable. All power networks have been required to offer a fixed daily-charge option. Lower power users are now saving up to $96 a year on their electricity bills thanks to the very good work of Pete Hodgson. 
Hon Ken Shirley 
: What is the projected increase in consumer electricity prices resulting from the Labour Government’s carbon tax on gas and coal and how can he seriously claim to be trying to reduce the price of electricity charges to the consumer? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I do not have those figures with me but of course the figures will depend a lot going into the future on the success of the renewable energy industry and also the savings that can be made through more efficient homes and more efficient businesses. 
Mike Ward 
: What has been the change in fixed charges for gas over the same period and when will the Government act to introduce low fixed-charges for gas so more Auckland households find it economic to connect to the gaspipes that run past their doors? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Some of the actions I have taken in the last 24 hours will be helpful with regard to the cost of gas. The member will see policy announcements soon. 
Peter Brown 
: In light of the Minister’s earlier answer to my supplementary question does he take seriously the fact that some of the elderly in this country live in fear and dread of their power bill and see it as ever-increasing because it has increased hugely over recent times; if so will he tell us exactly what he is going to do to help the elderly with their power bills? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: This Government has done quite a lot about power pricing. We have facilitated a lot of wind power we have worked in the solar area to knock off the peaks in demand and we have subsidised gas exploration by providing tax breaks for those exploring for gas and by paying for seismic surveys. Those are really important factors in making sure that electricity prices do not continue to go up at the rate they have as a result of the Bradford reforms. 
Peter Brown 
: Does the Minister accept that if there were more players in the industry generating more electricity there would be downward pressure on prices? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: If the market were working well that would be the case.