$2 Billion
That’s how much profit Australia’s two biggest energy companies made last year.
In the 2023-2024 financial year, Australia’s biggest energy company, Origin Energy made an eye-watering $1.18 billion in profits and the second biggest, AGL, made $800 million. Together these two companies represent 48% of our national energy market.
How?
Because, even though renewables are pushing down wholesale energy prices energy companies aren’t passing on the lower prices to their consumers – instead they are using market uncertainty as a reason to put energy prices up.
While our bills are going up, and more people are in energy debt than ever before.
1,282
households are in energy debt
Most of us are trying to use less power, and the cost of generation is going down, but our bills are still going up.
More and more families are being forced to choose between keeping the lights on and their homes safe and comfortable or paying for other necessities like groceries or medicines.
It just doesn’t add up.
And we can’t let them get away with it.
Together we can stand up to energy companies and tell them to #StopTheBillShock
Our demands
We need immediate action to end this crisis and ensure everyone can stay safe in their homes. It’s time for energy companies to step up and pay up.
1. Cancel energy debt now
It’s time for big energy companies to use their super profits to wipe out the unfair debt they have forced onto their customers. And if energy companies won’t do it, then the government should step in to help people escape the debt cycle for good.
2. Bring energy bills down for everyone, for ever.
Instead of increasing their executives’ salaries, big energy companies should put their profits to work to build more renewable energy – like wind and solar backed up by battery storage, to bring down the cost of power generation and our bills for good. And pass the savings they are already making from renewables onto their customers.
3. End the cycle of debt
Establish better protections and support to ensure people struggling with their energy bills don’t fall into debt and companies are held to account when they put their profits before people.
4. Help households take back control of their energy
Expand access to energy upgrades, like rooftop solar, home batteries, insulation and energy-efficient appliances to make it easier and more affordable to keep your home and family safe and healthy and cut energy costs.
Take action
Tell us what you have to say about energy companies hiking prices and pushing people into to debt while profits skyrocket. Join the #StopTheBS fight to wipe debt, bring energy costs down and ensure the renewable energy transition benefits everyone.
SHARE YOUR MESSAGE HERE: bit.ly/StopTheBSmessage
Find out more about our organisations and other actions you can take below.
Housing quality survey
The Antipoverty Centre is conducting an in-depth survey on how people are experiencing the housing and cost of living crises, and the effects of housing quality on health and finances. Contribute to the survey and let us know if you’d like to be involved in workshops and future campaign activities. Read more
Extreme Heat Awareness Day
Across Australia people are struggling in hot homes, and many can’t afford cooling. Join a national day of action to share these stories and demand more support and safer homes for all. Read more
Pledge your voice
Parents for Climate has a plan to get politicians to support climate solutions that slash energy bills for all, and protect our kids from extreme heat and pollution. As someone who cares for kids, pledge to use your voice for solutions that help our kids’ climate and our families’ costs of living. Read more
Who we are
Join us! If your organisation would like to support the Stop the Bill Shock campaign email info@stopthebillshock.org
Visit these websites to learn more about what our organisations do.
