❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses concerns about an increase in the minimum payment for Western Power pensioner budget cards, focusing on potential hardship for pensioners and the rationale behind the change. The Minister assures that the change aims to allow less frequent payments and offers alternative payment methods.
AnsweredQoN 297Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I understand the minimum payment on Western Power pensioner budget cards has been increased from $20 to $30. (1) Will the minister explain why this increase is considered necessary? (2) Has the minister considered that this substantial increase might make it more difficult to pay bills in a timely manner? (3) What mechanisms are in place to monitor the impact of the increase? (4) Will the minister consider reversing the decision if the increase is found to create hardship for pensioners? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(1) Will the minister explain why this increase is considered necessary? (2) Has the minister considered that this substantial increase might make it more difficult to pay bills in a timely manner? (3) What mechanisms are in place to monitor the impact of the increase? (4) Will the minister consider reversing the decision if the increase is found to create hardship for pensioners? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(2) Has the minister considered that this substantial increase might make it more difficult to pay bills in a timely manner? (3) What mechanisms are in place to monitor the impact of the increase? (4) Will the minister consider reversing the decision if the increase is found to create hardship for pensioners? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(3) What mechanisms are in place to monitor the impact of the increase? (4) Will the minister consider reversing the decision if the increase is found to create hardship for pensioners? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(4) Will the minister consider reversing the decision if the increase is found to create hardship for pensioners? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(1) Will the minister explain why this increase is considered necessary? (2) Has the minister considered that this substantial increase might make it more difficult to pay bills in a timely manner? (3) What mechanisms are in place to monitor the impact of the increase? (4) Will the minister consider reversing the decision if the increase is found to create hardship for pensioners? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(2) Has the minister considered that this substantial increase might make it more difficult to pay bills in a timely manner? (3) What mechanisms are in place to monitor the impact of the increase? (4) Will the minister consider reversing the decision if the increase is found to create hardship for pensioners? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(3) What mechanisms are in place to monitor the impact of the increase? (4) Will the minister consider reversing the decision if the increase is found to create hardship for pensioners? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(4) Will the minister consider reversing the decision if the increase is found to create hardship for pensioners? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
I thank the member for some notice of this question, and I answer it on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. (1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(1) The aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. The budget card was introduced in 1991 with the aim of enabling customers facing payment issues to make regular advance payments, thereby assisting with household budgeting. A review of the budget card was undertaken in October 2003 not only to honour the existing scheme but also to identify any efficiency gains that could be made. As a consequence, the changes do not result in anyone paying more for their electricity or being disadvantaged. Customers will be simply able to pay less frequently; for example, rather than pay $20 a fortnight the customer could pay $40 a month. The customer will be effectively budgeting for the same expense but simply making less frequent payments. (2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(2) The change to the minimum payment amount should have no detrimental effect on a customer’s capacity to meet payment deadlines. Once again, the aim of this change to the budget card minimum payment is not to get customers to pay more but to enable them to pay less frequently. Eligible customers who voice a concern at the change have been offered an alternative payment method called centrepay. Centrepay is available to eligible Centrelink concession holders. Centrepay is a voluntary direct-deduction service that allows payments of $20 to be made and can be arranged directly with Centrelink at no cost to the consumer. (3) As with any new product or procedure, Western Power will monitor the effectiveness of changes to the budget card minimum payment amount. As part of the product development life cycle, a post-implementation review will be completed on the budget card in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised. Western Power will also review customer feedback and ensure all the issues are considered and evaluated. Western Power will be pleased to provide members with advice on the outcome of this review. (4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
(4) A post-implementation review of the budget card will be completed in September 2004 to establish the degree to which the objectives and benefits of the product have been realised.
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MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.