WA Greens: Urgent action needed as #homelessness hits hard #wapol #housing

WA Greens: Urgent action needed as homelessness hits hard

Media release: Greens national housing spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam, State housing spokesperson Lynn MacLaren MLC.

Almost 92,000 people sought help from homelessness agencies in the past three months – triggering a renewed call from Western Australian Greens for urgent action.

Greens national spokesperson for housing, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the crisis has severe consequences for vulnerable people.

“The Specialist Homelessness Services Collection research shows almost one fifth of the 91,627 people who were assisted in this quarter were children under the age of ten, and half were people under 25. More than a quarter of people seeking help have suffered domestic violence. With almost 19,000 people sleeping rough we need urgent action to solve this crisis.”

“We need to see a commitment to at least doubling funding for homelessness services and accommodation in the new National Affordable Housing Agreement which is being negotiated this year for the next four years of funding.

“The National Rental Affordability Scheme launched in 2008 provided enough incentives for 50,000 new affordable rental properties, with a further 50,000 homes promised from 2012 if demand was strong. Most people now experiencing homelessness were private renters and it’s time to hold the Federal Government to their promise.”

Greens WA housing spokesperson Lynn MacLaren MLC said: “In addition to urgent funding for shelters and homeless support services, we need to dramatically increase affordable rental housing”.

“The State Government cannot rely on Commonwealth action alone to deal with a problem of this scale,” said Ms MacLaren. “The Greens’ Convert to Rent initiative would deliver grants to help landlords convert empty commercial space, shop-top rooms, and run-down homes into affordable rental housing – this could make a big difference to the affordable housing shortage at a low cost: for example $350 million would result in 15,000 more affordable rentals. The Barnett Government should embrace this initiative.”

Media contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302

W #Australia ACCC must look closer at Synergy carbon price double-dipping #wapol

ACCC must look closer at Synergy carbon price double-dipping

Wednesday July 2012

Greens WA Consumer Protection Spokeswoman Alison Xamon says the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission must take a closer look at Synergy’s marketing of green power before ruling it is acceptable for the electricity retailer to pass on the carbon price to its green power customers.

"Synergy has for many years told customers that by paying a premium for their green power products such as NaturalPower® and EasyGreen®, they are buying renewable electricity," Ms Xamon, herself a green power customer, said.

"It is therefore simply profiteering for Synergy to now say it cannot distinguish between the green power and conventional fossil-fired ‘black power’ that they are selling customers.

"Synergy is profiting from its green power customers by selling them renewable electricity that does not attract a carbon price while at the same time charging those customers for the cost of the carbon price.

"This cannot be fair or right and my concerns have not been assuaged by the ACCC’s response to date."

For further information contact Alison on 0437 700 555

Note to editors:

Examples of Synergy’s marketing of its green power products:

FAQ on Synergy’s website, downloaded 2/7/2012:

“Q: Why does EasyGreen cost more than regular power?

“A: EasyGreen costs more than non-renewable power because currently the cost of purchasing accredited power is higher than energy produced from traditional means such as coal or gas. By paying a premium, you are taking positive action to reduce your carbon footprint. You select the premium amount that suits you, at set levels between $10 and $80.”

“Q: Why is choosing NaturalPower good for the environment?

“A: Preventing greenhouse gases from entering our atmosphere, helps protect our environment. Greenhouse gas traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing global warming. These rising temperatures can trigger droughts, fires and higher sea levels. The good news is, when you sign-up to NaturalPower more of the power we provide comes from renewable sources, which produce little or no greenhouse gases.”

‘Green Energy’ brochure (pdf of which was available until recently on Synergy’s website)

"Because Green Energy is more expensive to produce, it costs slightly more to supply. But with Synergy NaturalPower® and EasyGreen®, you can make a green energy choice that suits your budget."

"By switching to Green Energy, you’ll be helping WA’s renewable energy industry grow, as well as reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and our impact on the environment."

‘Synergy Life’ magazine, summer 2007, downloaded from Synergy website 2/7/2012:

“And because NaturalPower is sourced from the wind and the sun, no greenhouse gases will be created by the energy you purchase.”

Synergy 2007-2008 Annual Report, downloaded from Synergy website 4/7/2012

"NaturalPower is electricity generated by renewable sources."

Synergy 2006-2007 Annual Report, downloaded from Synergy website 4/7/2012

"NaturalPower is renewable energy sourced from the sun and the wind, which generates no greenhouse gas emissions. Customers who choose to purchase NaturalPower are preventing the emission of greenhouse gases that would otherwise be produced to meet their energy needs and are therefore contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment."

Hon Alison Xamon MLC

Member for the East Metropolitan Region

Office: 62 Eighth Ave Maylands WA 6051

Postal Address: PO Box 104 Maylands WA 6931

Phone: (08) 9272 1718

Fax: (08) 9272 1719

Portfolios: Water, Urban Bushland, Mental Health, Education, Training, Industrial Relations, Employment, Occupational Health & Safety, Disabilities, Women, Children & Youth, Public Service, Community Services,Electoral Affairs, Consumer Protection, Vet Affairs, Volunteering