Member for Gippsland South and Leader of The Nationals Peter Ryan has called for an immediate freeze on the roll out of John Brumby’s bungled Smart Meter Project, claiming the project which was intended to save Victorians money has instead become a financial burden.
Mr Ryan said Smart Meters, which record how much electricity is used by households and businesses every half hour, began its roll out across the state in September with a completion date due by the end of 2013.
He said more than 50,000 Smart Meters have so far been installed, with this limited number of overall installations already indicating that the project may be a flop.
“These so-called smart meters were supposed to save Victorians money. On his own Government’s Smart Meter fact sheet, John Brumby claimed the project would save Victoria $700million over the next 20 years,” Mr Ryan said.
“However it has been revealed the cost of the project has blown-out from $800million to $2.25billion. That is $1.45billion over budget.
“Even with the savings made from this project, this massive budget blow-out means it is likely this project will now end up costing Victorians more than $750million over the next 20 years.
“That $750million could have been better spent on practical measures which actually reduce the spiralling cost of electricity, not increase it.
“And to make matters worse it will be Victorians who will have to pick up the tab.”
Mr Ryan said while many homes across the state will have to wait three years to have the Smart Meters installed, many will still be forced into paying up to $152 this year for the meters as well as a further $150 a year once they have been installed.
“Victorians will have to pay through the nose for these Meters even if they don’t have one installed, and then pay again through massive increases in peak charges when the meters are installed,” Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan went on to say that a report from Victorian Auditor General, Towards a Smart Grid, released in November last year revealed that there is a real risk that Smart Meters might actually benefit the electricity industry at the expense of consumers.
“This is on top of findings from Melbourne University that revealed many families will have to pay around $300 extra per year in higher electricity bills as a result of the Smart Meters,” Mr Ryan said.
“This is unacceptable and the Brumby Government must act to immediately to freeze the roll-out of the Smart Meters until there has been a full and independent cost-benefit analysis of this bungled project
“Victorian’s deserve to know whether they are being forced to throw good money after bad.”
Mr Ryan is currently circulating a petition which calls for an immediate freeze on the roll out of Smart Meters. The petition can be signed or copies requested at Peter Ryan’s electorate office at 54b Cunninghame Street Sale.
Media contact: Ben Bulmer 5144 1987
