Australians have been warned their gas bills will rise by hundreds of dollars as prices rise next month.
Victoria’s major energy companies have announced that domestic gas prices are expected to rise by up to 12 per cent from August 1.
Victoria customers will face price increases of 11.8 per cent from Globird, 8.6 per cent from AGL and 7.3 per cent from Origin.
On average, this will result in an increase of about $200 for households and $700 for small businesses this year.
The only company cutting its gas bills is Alinta Energy, with a three per cent cut expected to save customers $50 on their annual bill.
Experts said the price increase was due to a shortage of gas as well as high production and network costs.
Australian Industrial Group energy director Tennant Reed told the Herald of the Sun that although wholesale gas prices have fallen since their peak in 2022, they are unlikely to decline much further.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said he knew Australians were struggling amid rising living costs and hoped retailers would pass on reduced costs to customers.
Australians have been warned their gas bills will rise by hundreds of dollars as prices increase next month.
But opposition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien said the government urgently needed to increase gas supplies to bring prices down.
“Federal and state unions are refusing to actively pursue policies that would increase supply, which by extension also lowers prices,” O’Brien said.
‘As a result of Labor’s ideological hatred of gas, many Victorians are left cold this winter because they cannot afford it, while others are left wondering whether the gas will even flow when they try to turn it on.’
More than two million people in Victoria rely on gas, making it the most gas-dependent state in the country.
Victorians’ gas bills are already higher than those in other states.
Anyone experiencing problems paying their gas bill is urged to contact their network provider.
More than two million people rely on gas in Victoria, which has the highest gas dependency in the country, and their bills are already higher than those paid in other states.
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