It is interesting to note the promises made when elements of an account are changed as a result of technology and digitisation.
When registration labels were abolished in July 2011, it was to modernise the system and save costs.
Drivers were informed at the time that their registration costs would go down, but no discernible difference was noted.
Electricity, water and telephone bills would supposedly reduce when the same was promised under the same change from paper to digital.
Each time this has occurred, there has been a cost saving to each of the utility companies, but minimal to no reduction for consumers.
Telstra, after posting a $2.17 billion profit, an increase of 34 per cent, is now planning to charge computerless customers a monthly fee of $2.90 to receive a paper bill (‘Telstra dials up new fee’, The Advertiser, 4 November).
Some people choose not to have a computer or a mobile phone and should not have additional costs imposed on them, particularly during our cost-of-living crisis.
Telstra should bear the costs as a result of the change they made, given their substantial profit.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
Net zero power play
Rather than meaningless compromises that won’t heal or convince anyone, could the Liberals allow a conscience vote on net zero?
I think the answer is no.
The realpolitik is that there’s no issue here they would want to vote on in Parliament or even put to a referendum. It’s a power play.
Jim Allen, Panorama
