Hon. Sophie McNeill questions the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation regarding Horizon Power's prepaid electricity program in remote communities, particularly concerning disconnections and economic disadvantage. The Minister responds that prepayment is optional.

AnsweredQoN 1005Legislative Council
Asked
11 November 2025
Portfolio
Energy and Decarbonisation

QuestionView source ↗

Horizon Power—Prepaid electricity program
1005. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:
I refer to recent
media reports regarding families in remote communities who frequently have
their power cut off due to Horizon Power's prepaid electricity program.
(1) How many remote communities are required to
use Horizon Power's prepaid electricity program?
(2) Is this arrangement in place anywhere outside
of remote communities and, if it is, can the minister please provide a list of
the locations?
(3) What measures are in place to ensure that
people in remote communities have protections against disconnection in cases of
emergency?
(4) Can the minister please explain why this
practice is forced upon some of the most economically disadvantaged communities
in this state?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer is
provided on behalf of the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.
(1)–(4) The use of prepayment services is
not mandated for Horizon Power's customers. Horizon Power's customers have a
choice between prepay or post-pay arrangements.

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