2 July 2026
The SA Greens say the Malinauskas Government should step up to ensure concession holders are not out of pocket after being encouraged by the Department of Human Services to sign up to Origin Energy only to have their fees hiked months later.
ABC Radio revealed that concession holders received a letter from the Minister for Human Services in February encouraging them to take advantage of an Origin plan offering lower-cost energy, only to have their prices hiked up in July. It was reported that daily supply charges will now increase from 92.94c to $1.44.
Quotes attributable to Robert Simms MLC
“This is totally unacceptable. These South Australians were encouraged to take up this offer by the Government. I understand that Origin was engaged by the Government through a tender process to offer this special discounted plan for concession holders and so they should be leaning on Origin to uphold their part of the bargain. If Origin refuses to do so, the Government should step up and pay the difference,” said Greens SA Leader Robert Simms.
“Expecting South Australian concession holders to solve this problem themselves, when this Origin deal has been actively promoted by their Government is a total cop out and an abrogation of responsibility. The Government needs to act with compassion and common sense here and provide these South Australians with the discounts they were promised.”