The Australian consumer watchdog has stated that electricity bills for households across the country soared by $300 (US$187) on average in the past six months.
Speaking to a parliamentary committee, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairwoman Gina Cass-Gottlieb said this amount equalled a 25 percent increase in electricity prices for an average household.
The rise was much larger for small businesses, with the chairwoman estimating a price difference of $1,500.
During the hearing, members of the economics committee questioned the ACCC about where there was price-gouging in the energy sector.
In response, Cass-Gottlieb said the steep price increases were caused by several factors, including the war in Ukraine, unexplained generator outages, and flooding affecting coal mines and coal-fired generators….