Synergy—Small business contracts
213. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:
Welcome to Thursday. I refer to the Leader of the House's answer to my question without notice 155 asked on 20 May 2025 on small business energy costs in the contestable market in which the government refused to outline average power costs, and to reports that in the renewal of their Synergy contracts, small business Synergy customers have seen increases in total costs of up to 40% on their previous contracts.
(1) What has been the highest and the average percentage increase in contracted costs for businesses on the RI, LI, R3 and L3 tariffs in:(a) 2022–23;(b) 2023–24; and(c) 2024–25 to date?(2) Is the government refusing to reveal the cost increases because it is embarrassed by the level of them?Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) Businesses on the R1, L1, R3 and L3 tariffs have fixed rates that have increased in accordance with the table below. The remainder of the answer is in tabular form, so I seek leave to have it incorporated into Hansard.Leave granted for the following material to be incorporated.
| 22/23 | 23/24 | 24/25 | |
| Supply c/day | 2.50% | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| First 1650 kWh/Day Charge | 2.50% | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| Balance Charge c/kWh | 2.50% | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| Supply c/day | -3.00% | -3.70% | 0.50% |
| First 1650 kWh/Day Charge | -3.00% | -3.70% | 0.50% |
| Balance Charge c/kWh | -3.00% | -3.70% | 0.50% |
| Supply c/day | 2.50% | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| Onpeak Energy Charge c/kWh | 2.50% | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| Offpeak Energy Charge c/kWh | 2.50% | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| Supply c/day | -1.20% | -1.10% | 2.10% |
| Onpeak Energy Charge c/kWh | -1.20% | -1.10% | 2.10% |
| Offpeak Energy Charge c/kWh | -1.20% | -1.10% | 2.10% |
