Read the Cost of Living Factsheet
NTCOSS, the peak body for the Social and Community Sector in the NT, is urging political parties and candidates to commit to alleviate energy hardship by installing solar energy on all social housing ahead of next month’s election.
NTCOSS’ latest Cost of Utilities factsheet reveals there were 103,985 involuntary self-disconnections in households with prepayment meters in NT major centres last year. When households cannot afford to top up their meter, power to the household is disconnected.
“It is unacceptable for people to be denied access to electricity in a wealthy country and particularly in the Territory with its extreme temperatures, as Alice Springs shivers at this time of year and it is sweltering hot later in the year,” NTCOSS CEO Sally Sievers said.
NTCOSS calls for a commitment now to install solar to give social housing residents access to lower cost energy, reduce disconnections, energy hardship and the cost of living and improve health and wellbeing for those households.
It would also reduce carbon emissions. This community solar project at Marlinja, NT is a great example, while Australian Council of Social Service research found massive economic and environmental benefits for such a solar program.
“The answers are there, we can address these challenges, they just need to be supported and funded long term,” NTCOSS CEO Sally Sievers said.
To ensure all Territorians can meet their basic needs, NTCOSS also recommends establishing yearly indexation of the NT Motor Vehicle Registration concession which has remained at $77 (6 months) since 2009, despite increasing registration costs.
The Northern Territory Council of Social Service is urging all political parties and candidates to commit to policies that prioritise fairness and equity for all Territorians ahead of the NT Election.
Read the 2024 Northern Territory Election Priorities document here.