Why is there no provision in Victoria’s smart meter roll-out for people who are sensitive to radiofrequency microwaves?

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

For the past two years, Stop Smart Meters Australia (SSMA) has received countless emails from people suffering from the effects of the constant pulses of radiation emitted by smart meters.

The standard response these sufferers receive from “authorities”, if any, is that the radiation emitted from smart meters falls within Australian radio frequency standards, and so the authorities believe it absolves them from all responsibility to investigate, and prefers to leave people suffering without any form of support.

SSMA doesn’t dispute that Australian radiation standards are being met within the roll-out of smart meters, however, we strongly maintain that authorities have a duty of care to, at the very least, consider the effects smart meters are having on the proportion of the population who are adversely affected by radiofrequency microwaves. This becomes even more essential when one considers ICNIRP, the organisation that established international guidelines upon which our standards are based, and which claims that guidelines may not provide adequate protection for certain sensitive individuals nor for normal individuals exposed concomitantly to other agents, which may exacerbate the effect of the non ionizing radiation exposure.

The Victorian government and power distributors refuse to make provision for people who are clearly affected, and even medically proven, to be affected by radiofrequency microwaves. The cries and tears of these people are heartlessly ignored.

 To our knowledge the CEOs of Victorian power distributors, Mr Timothy Rourke (Powercor and CitiPower), Mr Nino Ficca (SP AusNet), Mr Paul Adams (Jemena) and Mr Hugh Gleeson (United Energy) have not once agreed to meet with people who are suffering as a direct result of the forced installation of their equipment in people’s private residences. Nor has Mr Mark Feather, Executive Director, Energy Sector Development Branch, Department of State Development and Business Innovation, nor have respective Victorian Energy Ministers Michael O’Brien, Nicholas Kotsiras or Russell Northe met face to face, eye to eye with affected people and explained why they should suffer, allegedly for the ‘common good’. Rather it seems to be the financial wellbeing of power distributors that is the overriding concern.

These men have been clearly advised on numerous occasions of the effects the smart meter roll-out in Victoria is having on many people, yet they totally REFUSE to do ANYTHING about it. One wonders how such men can look at themselves in the mirror….

See, below, just one more example of the pain and suffering Victoria’s mandated smart meter roll-out is afflicting on hapless Victorians. This email was received in the past week from a mother of a wheelchair-bound person:

“My daughter who is chronically ill had two smart meters installed last Wednesday 16th April. She suffers from a severe muscular disorder, and also is extremely susceptible to electro magnetic radiation.

By Thursday all of her symptoms were exacerbated, the pain in her head and jaw became unbearable and she could not sleep. I spent the entire Easter weekend trying to get help from United Energy. The first question I was asked was “who told you about this?”

I had no idea that these devices had anything to do with wifi emissions or I would not have had it installed. Since the installation she has had horrendous migraines, has not slept at all, and has had seizures. We had no idea that the smart meter could make her condition worse and we are positive that this is not a coincidence.

After numerous calls yesterday (and being on hold for 2 and a half hours) someone finally rang me from customer relations at 4.50. He said that there was no proof that the smart meter could have anything to do with my daughter’s health problems, but finally agreed to see if the levels could be lowered remotely (which I had read is possible) They have agreed to do this.

My daughter has moved from her bedroom and is on the floor in her lounge. We attempted to turn off her power, removing all of her medication which needed to be kept frozen. This didn’t work as the meter has a backup battery which just keeps going.

Today I have been informed that I can get an electrician to remove one of the meters at my own cost (this is for floor heating which is disconnected so doesn’t need to be there).

I am getting a quote from a local guy, who is doing two similar jobs. He said it may cost thousands.

I feel that this is going to be a nightmare to eventually get the smart meter removed, but given my daughter’s deteriorating condition I need to do whatever it takes to get rid of this device.”

Geri, Blairgowrie

 

Geri’s husband has tried to shield the radiation from entering his daughter’s room by placing led behind the smart meter. Their daughter wrote (edited version):

 “Do we have absolutely no rights in removing this thing?

If this lead doesn’t work surely we must, this is ridiculous. Could we speak to a lawyer maybe?

I got moved back to my bedroom last night as I really wanted to test it after being in the back of the house for many days. Within a few hours I woke up with excruciating back pain – this pain is diff to my usual – middle back, and like the worst kind of kidney type pain – but it’s not kidneys, none of my stuff that helps usual muscle stuff relieves it. The pain is constant and very severe. This first started the day after the smart meter was installed and went away after a few days when I was down at the back of the house. I have completely dried out, throat – right to stomach, sinus, eyes everything. My skin rash came back and my heart went crazy. The most worrying thing is my lungs have totally dried out. I keep choking due to this and coughing nonstop. None of this is stuff I had before the smart meter was installed and it’s far far worse in there now than it was last week even. It’s the first time my lungs have gone. I am utterly exhausted. Without sleep you can imagine how much I am worsening. I’d be very scared to be left in my bedroom now for any extended time, seeing the difference now.

We must have some rights, potentially it could kill me if left in there. Noexaggeration. I shouldn’t have to lose my house over this. It took so much effort to get it all altered and set up for me and has access to all I need, especially the bedroom and bathroom. I don’t want to have to move into a tiny bedroom, nothing will fit, not even my wheelchair and cannot even sleep/lay on that bed as it worsens my back. I really can’t believe this is happening.

Took all I had left to write this. I am shaking severely and my limbs are seizing up bad now. Zero energy. I just hope someone can do something and soon.

I will have no energy to handle any of this. If I was less sick it would be easier for us to fight this. This is just crazy.”

Original version of the daughter’s email can be found here: Do we have absolutely no rights is removing this thing…

 

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Public comment sought by ACMA on draft legislation

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

The ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) is planning on ‘rolling over’ existing legislation which specifies maximum Electromagnetic Emission exposure levels to humans and labelling protocols for devices incorporating radiocommunications transmitter(s) with integral antennas. These devices include smart meters and mesh smart meter relays and access points. Other affected wireless devices include mobile phones, cordless phones, baby monitors, headphones, microphones, LAN access points, PDAs and laptop PCs.

The new draft legislation only contains minor changes to existing legislation!

This means that ACMA’s legislation will uphold the ARPANSA’s outdated radiofrequency standard. In fact, the ACMA’s legislation doesn’t even incorporate the ARPANSA’s entire radiofrequency standard, but just the parts that are easy to police. This means any precautionary elements in it have been thrown out the window. Sadly, even these meager maximum exposure limits have been denied to Defence and Police personnel.
It also means that Australia’s labelling requirements for devices emitting electromagnetic radiation will continue to lag behind risk-management practices recommended elsewhere in the world. SSMA finds it extraordinary that wireless devices such as smart meters and smart meter relays and access points do not carry any radiation alerts whatsoever!

The ACMA has invited public comment on their proposal. Go to the following link for more information: http://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/Consultations/Consultations/Sunsetting/remaking-the-radiocommunications-human-exposure-standard

Submissions are due by Friday, 2nd May, and will become public documents.
To view a copy of Stop Smart Meters Australia’s submission go here: SSMA submission to ACMA 29 April
To view a copy of EMR Australia’s submission go here: EMR Australia Submission

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“Oh my…what is in Wi-Fi” Dutch Watercress experiment repeated

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Written by Catherine Minolli
source:http://www.tricitytimes-online.com/Articles-News-i-2014-04-02-218015.112113-Oh-mywhats-in-WiFi.html

ALMONT — When the school district rolled out the Ipads this year, Aiden Fitchett noticed something new; as he did when seated near the wireless projector any time a teacher used one for a presentation: headaches. Bad ones. Bad enough that the 8-year-old second grader would come home crying from the pain.

His mom, biologist Rachel Fitchett, made a correlation between Aiden’s headaches and the circumstances: wireless fidelity waves or WiFi, which has been associated with causing physical effects in a small percentage of the population.

“I knew the health risks associated with WiFi and asked the teacher to relocate him and the headaches stopped,” Rachel says.

While that was great, the situation still puzzled Aiden’s inquisitive mind. So when Science Fair time rolled around he knew exactly what he wanted to delve into.

“I want to know why I get headaches when I’m around wireless devices but not the wires,” Aiden says. “We use a laptop at home, and we have a television set, and it’s only around wireless that I get the headaches.”

Aiden - What wireless can do

Aiden Fitchett with his Orchard Primary School Science Fair project ‘What Wireless Can Do To You.’

So Aiden set about to answer his question. Patterning his experiment after a Danish experiment by a group of 9th grade students, Aiden and his mom bought some garden cress seeds, growing trays and napkins and got to work.

Aiden placed an equal amount of garden cress seeds atop two napkins, which he placed inside two growing trays. Each was watered until damp. One tray was placed six inches from a wired laptop which was kept on the whole time.

The other tray was placed six inches from a WiFi router in a neighbor’s home which was turned on the whole time as well.

Both trays received sunlight from west windows, and both rooms were kept at 69 degrees. The trays were watered daily with the same amount of water.

After six days, the results—similar to those in the Danish experiment—were stunning.

“At first Aiden was excited as the seeds started to grow, but by the second to the last day one of his notations on the WiFi sprouts was ‘strange,'” Rachel says.

In the Danish experiment, the cress seeds placed near the WiFi device did not sprout at all. While Aiden’s WiFi seeds sprouted, they did not look anything like the robust sprouts growing in the wired room.

The sprouts tasted different as well. Garden cress is a fast-growing herb with a peppery, tangy flavor and smell. The wired seeds tasted strong and peppery—so much so that Aiden had to run for a glass of water. The WiFi seeds had little taste at all. In fact, Aiden said they tasted “like water.”

Aiden’s conclusion?

“The garden cress are living and growing just like me,” he says. “The ones by the WiFi were not healthy and looked crazy. Wireless devices must send things through the air that are not good for my body.”

Aiden’s mom tends to agree—although in more scientific terms.

“Results clearly showed reduced DNA repair capacity and cell proliferation , hence mimicking the growth of cancerous cells,” she says. “The Garden Cress seeds exposed to wireless signals were in fact mutated and unhealthy.”

Rachel believes when the wireless signals are intensified by use of multiple devices, so is the negative effect.

“The more that are together, the more concentrated the ill effects are,” she says.

Aiden’s headaches continued during computer class, so he has since been pulled.

“He’s a very bright kid who excels in all subjects, Rachel says. “He doesn’t need to get whatever it is they’re getting in there.”

Along with Aiden, Rachel and husband Matthew are parents of Caila, 6, Levi, 4, and Eliniah, 21 months.

For more information on the Danish experiment visit http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Andre_sprog/English/2013/05/17/130946.htm.

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South Australian electricity consumers likely to be offered new ‘smart’ power meters — but at a price

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

A GOVERNMENT discussion paper outlines plans to offer “smart” electricity meters across the state — but they could cost up to $500 per household.

Such meters have been rolled out in other states, but South Australia has delayed such a program because of an estimated state-wide cost of $1 billion.

The Energy Department has not yet decided who will pay for the meters, but experts say consumers will carry the cost because electricity assets had been privatised.

“Of course, the customer always pays,’’ said Uniting Communities electricity expert Mark Henley.

The State Government’s draft plan to offer smart meters to householders on a voluntary basis has been released for public comment. While it does not clearly state who will cover the cost of the meters, it provides an opt-out for customers who do not wish to pay.

It also outlines options to offset the “cost” to consumers.

Mr Henley said a compulsory rollout in Victoria cost $1000 for each meter, but falling costs meant experts now estimated the price to be between $300 and $400.

“The minimum cost would be about $250, but the other issue is retiring the old meters, and they are owned by SA Power Networks (formerly ETSA), and they would want to be paid out for the value of current meters which SAPN owns … up to another $250, depending on age of meter and SAPN valuation of existing meter cost.”

Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said about 30,000 new or replacement electricity meters were installed each year.

Under the Government’s proposal, all new meters would be “smart-ready” unless the customer opted out.

A “smart-ready” meter is a step up from current technology and can be upgraded at a later time to operate as a “smart” meter by installing an electronic chip, similar to a SIM card in a mobile phone.

This enables the householder to take advantage of new products and services as they become available, such as monthly billing, online information and real-time data.

Mr Koutsantonis said the Government estimated a “smart-ready” meter would cost between $40 and $60 more than a regular meter.

“We want to give South Australians a choice, so under this proposal households can opt out and have a regular meter installed or have a smart-ready meter, yet choose not to take up the smart meter products and services,” he said.

“What we want to do is create a market for smart meters, which have the potential to save South Australians up to $200 a year on electricity bills when they select innovative products and services.”

South Australian Council of Social Service director Ross Womersley said there was no guarantee the cost of installation to householders would be matched by savings.

“SACOSS accepts that advanced metering offers a range of benefits, but is disappointed that the discussion paper does not provide any quantitative information in this regard,’’ he said.

“SACOSS is concerned that the costs of implementation have the potential to overwhelm the value of these benefits for the consumers of most interest to SACOSS.

“Asserting that a policy is ‘cost effective’ without demonstrating it to be so is not an approach that SACOSS prefers.’’

An Energy Department spokesman said the proposal “provides that all new and replacement meters for residential and small business customers will be smart-ready meters, unless a residential or small business … customer elects not to receive one’’.

Mr Womersley said if smart meter installation followed that of meters which had to be used for solar PV conversions, there would be a considerable cost to the consumer.

“SA Power Networks has been the monopoly provider of some 150,000 of these meters over recent years but SACOSS and others have observed that the price of meter replacement did not seem to reflect expected economies of scale and has only recently fallen to $314.60 from $440 for the majority of these installations,’’ he said.

“It is unclear if these meters really are ‘owned’ by customers despite having seemingly paid for them.”

MILES KEMP AND LAUREN NOVAK, THE ADVERTISER

Via:South Australian electricity consumers likely to be offered new ‘smart’ power meters — but at a price

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MEDIA RELEASE – VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT’S SMART METER HEALTH AUDIT

Posted on April 19, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

17th April 2014

MEDIA RELEASE

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT’S SMART METER HEALTH AUDIT

Stop Smart Meters Australia (SSMA) welcomes Mr Russell Northe MP to his new portfolio and trusts that his appointment as Minister for Energy and Resources will bring with it a reality check on a number of unresolved issues in relation to the Victorian Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) rollout.

SSMA formally incorporated as an Association in April 2013, in response to the community’s objections to the Victorian AMI rollout. Paramount within our legal purposes is to provide support and assistance to people opposed to the forced rollout of smart meters on the grounds of health, privacy, security, safety and cost.

Ms Janobai Smith, Spokesperson for SSMA, said:
“Stop Smart Meters Australia takes exception to the inequity of the current AMI rollout policy, having made no provision for the reinstatement of analogue or interval-only meters, in cases where consumers are suffering health effects as a result of wireless smart meter emissions. We believe it is imperative this issue be urgently addressed.”

“We were heartened that an independent audit, to determine whether there are any health risks associated with smart meters, was announced by Mr Northe’s predecessor earlier this year. However, the Victorian Government has failed to advise Victorians who will be conducting the audit, and what the time frame is for it.”

“SSMA believes that the scope of this audit should be extended beyond that of earlier investigations which, patently, have suffered from serious systemic faults. As a concerned community group, we would appreciate the opportunity to have input into this process” commented Ms Smith.

The aim of the AMI Meter Electromagnetic Field Survey, commissioned by the Victorian Government in 2011, was to determine if emissions from smart meters met the relevant ARPANSA standard. As its authors acknowledged, the ARPANSA standard is only designed to protect from heat injury and does not take into account other biological effects. A number of scientific studies have shown that non-thermal effects can and do lead to highly undesirable health outcomes. In SSMA’s opinion, seeking to confirm that smart meter emissions met the current ARPANSA standard, whilst ignoring non-thermal effects, was a waste of taxpayers’ funds.

Similarly, although Energy Safe Victoria’s 2012 report into safety was titled ‘Safety of Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Victoria’, ESV abrogated its responsibilities in regards to health concerns by stating that potential health effects was the subject of separate regulatory arrangements administered by ACMA, which incorporates ARPANSA’s exposure limits and that they had also been subject to a Victorian Government review (i.e. the aforementioned AMI Meter Electromagnetic Field Survey).

Ms Smith states,
“We believe that it is vital that the audit seriously considers why so many Victorians and people elsewhere claim to have developed symptoms, or to have had existing symptoms exacerbated, as a result of the rollout of wireless advanced metering infrastructure. As a minimum, we believe that Victorians who have claimed adverse health effects as a result of smart meters should be interviewed. Written evidence submitted to the UK Parliament in 2012 attested to the fact that the pulsed radiation from smart meters has resulted in thousands of health complaints world-wide. More than 10,000 health-related complaints were submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission alone, and included personal testimonies from medical doctors, psychotherapists and nurses regarding their own symptoms. The costs to government, within this unfolding drama, are real.”

Ms Smith continues
“SSMA is pleased that the government recognizes the importance of ensuring the audit be conducted by an independent organization. SSMA believes that, in order to ensure the audit’s credibility, it is imperative that the personnel concerned have no vested interest in the outcome. As an example, although the AMI Meter Electromagnetic Field Survey has been described as an independent report, there appears to be a close link between industry and one of its chief authors.”

“Clearly, as the matter at issue involves current and potential future health risks to the Victorian population, all personnel tasked with preparing the audit must necessarily have relevant medical qualifications with respect to non-ionizing radiation.”

“SSMA is concerned that the scope of the audit be sufficiently broad to encompass all areas of concern in relation to health. Unfortunately, AMI technology has been rolled out worldwide prior to the undertaking of any studies relating to safety. Specifically, we ask that the audit extend to considering biological testing that seeks to establish whether smart meter emissions cause effects such as breaches of the blood/brain barrier, selective release of calcium from cell membranes, DNA single and double strand breaks and nerve cell death. Additionally, do these effects vary within the population? For example, regulatory bodies in a number of countries are increasingly concerned with the effects of radiofrequency radiation on children” said Ms Smith.

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Electricity company plunges Cheltenham pair into darkness after smart meter removed due to health fears

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

image004[2]
A WOMAN who illegally removed her smart meter because she believed it was making her sick has been living in the dark for the past six weeks after her power was cut off.

United Energy cut off Sofia Telemzouguer’s power for “health and safety” reasons after learning she had replaced the meter with an analog version.

But in what United Energy is calling a “unique and sensitive case”, it says it continues to work with her to resolve the situation.

She said she has been in a year-long battle with the energy provider after they installed the unit at her Cheltenham home without her consent in March last year.

But in October, Ms Telemzouguer, who says she has been diagnosed with electromagnetic hypersensitivity, removed the smart meter after she claimed it gave her headaches and caused severe skin irritation.

She started to feel better but contacted United Energy in February with an inquiry.

She said soon after, her power was cut off without any correspondence and she and her 14-year-old daughter Larissa were now living in darkness.

“I have to throw out any perishable food if we don’t eat it immediately and my daughter has to study by candlelight,” Ms Telemzouguer said.

“It’s very stressful (and) I don’t know what to do ‒ wherever I go it’s a stone wall.”

But United Energy spokesman Stuart Allott said, with the Energy and Water Ombudsman, they had been working with Ms Telemzouguer for months after she told them of her health concerns.

He said they tested the radiofrequency exposure limit, which was “well below” safe levels and offered to lower it further but that had been so far been rejected.

He said in February, they requested a meter inspection due to the inability to read it remotely and after finding out the meter was illegally removed, a defect notice was issued and an inquiry launched by Energy Safe Victoria.

“Due to health and safety concerns, supply was disconnected,” Mr Allott said.

He said the company had tried to reconnect the supply since March, but Ms Telemzouguer refused the installation of “our now standard digital meter”.

He said it was State Government policy that smart meters were the standard meters and they continued to work with the Ombudsman to resolve the issue.

EMR Australia director Lyn McLean, whose company produces shielding for electromagnetic radiation, said she received many calls from Melbourne residents wanting to shield themselves from smart meters.

She said her company often installed shielding, including special paint, fabric and window film which could eliminate 99 percent of all the radiation from the meter without impeding its function.

Troels Sommerville, Moorabbin Kingston Leader, April 16

Via:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/electricity-company-plunges-cheltenham-pair-into-darkness-after-smart-meter-removed-due-to-health-fears/story-fngnvmhm-1226885309126

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“The facts expose the safety standards are inadequate” – Dr James McCaughan, University of Sydney

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Dr James B. McCaughan, Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Physics, University of Sydney, writes an account about electrosensitivity and the inadequacies of the current safety standards in Australia.

The account is made available via the WiFi in Schools Website http://www.wifi-in-schools-australia.org/p/resources.html and directly from https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1KQ639Tc1Z9WTl4RG5oSjRRS0k/edit?pli=1

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People Power Victoria – No Smart Meters party to contest the next state election | Herald Sun Leader

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

THE growing movement against the compulsory rollout of smart meters in Victoria has sparked a new political party.

The People Power Victoria — No Smart Meters was started last week and spokesman Marc Florio said it was growing fast.

“We have 250 members join within a week of publicising it. We need 500 members to be registered and we will get that no problems,” Mr Florio said.

He said the party was formed because there was a growing concern about how the public was being treated by corporations, major parties and state government departments.

“The major parties don’t seem to be listening to the public about the problems out there. They don’t care about the issues — and in particular the rising cost of smart meters,” Mr Florio said.

“The party is a focal point for voters who are frustrated by the lack of action by politicians.”

The party is centred on opposition to the rollout of wireless smart meters for electricity, gas and water and aims to get fair and affordable delivery of essential services.

Mr Florio said the party would contest the state election in November.

For more information go to peoplepowervictoria.org.au

Kylie Adoranti

Via: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/news/new-political-party-the-people-power-victoria-no-smart-meters-and-spokesman-marc-florio-says-they-want-to-contest-state-election/story-fnglekhp-1226879744841

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People Power Victoria – an overwhelming response!

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Within one week of promoting the formation of our political party People Power Victoria – No Smart Meters, we are already nearly halfway to our minimum target of 500 members.

If everyone who has joined PPV enlisted one more person to apply for membership, we will reach our goal within two weeks – surely this would be unprecedented in the formation of a grass-roots Victorian political party!

But of course we would like even more than 500 members!

Thank you everyone for your support, and because of this overwhelming response, please be patient as our volunteers register your membership and acknowledge your kind donations.

Let’s continue to spread the word and keep the momentum going……

Membership forms can be downloaded at: http://www.peoplepowervictoria.org.au/uploads/files/PPV%20Membership%20form.pdf

Or completed online at: http://www.peoplepowervictoria.org.au/membership

Related post: https://stopsmartmeters.com.au/2014/03/28/people-power-victoria-no-smart-meters-the-emergence-of-a-new-political-party/

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Petition to reconnect Sofia’s power

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Stop Smart Meters Australia has created a petition for Sofia to have her power reconnected with a manual read interval meter. Please help Sofia’s cause by clicking on the link below and sign to register your support:

https://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/hon-dr-denis-napthine-allow-sofia-s-electricity-supply-to-be-reconnected-with-a-manually-read-interval-meter-mrim#

Sofia’s smart meter story: a life ruined, a future denied
Upon returning from an interstate business trip, Sofia’s health started to mysteriously and rapidly decline. Sofia could no longer sleep, her vision suddenly deteriorated, she had constant headaches, nausea, irritability, fatigue and short term memory loss. An acute, burning rash all over her body and swollen legs eventually led to hospitalization.
This was a stark turn of events for a woman still in her prime, who had been healthy and had enjoyed an exciting, busy life as a full time worker and sole parent of a teenage daughter.

Sofia and her doctors discovered the horrible coincidence – all her symptoms had started after a wireless smart meter had been installed inside a cavity in her bedroom wall, against her wishes and without her knowledge whilst she was away from home.

Now Sofia is on a Disability Pension, too sick to work and struggling to look after herself and her 14 year old daughter.

After months of unendurable physical suffering and pleading with her power distributor, United Energy, and government agencies, this Victorian mother had only one option – to take things into her own hands and have the smart meter removed from her home. Soon after, her health started to improve and she still continued to pay the estimated electricity bills she received.

On the 3rd March 2014, without warning or written notification, Sofia’s power was cut off. Appeals United Energy), Energy Safe Victoria, the Victorian Energy Ombudsman, the Victorian Energy Minister, local politicians and others have only resulted in stone walling and doors shut in her face. No one wants to help, no one wants to accept the grim reality facing this distraught mother and daughter.

Since the disconnection occurred, Sofia and her daughter have had to live without:
-Electric lights. She and her daughter have been using candles and a torch for light
-A refrigerator/freezer. All food has to be purchased daily and consumed that day.
-The ability to use a washing machine to launder clothing
-The use of a laptop computer to allow her daughter to complete her schoolwork
-Any heating for her home, particularly as the weather turns colder with winter approaching

Sofia has been told that, unless she accepts a smart meter on her house, she will not be supplied with electricity. Her power distributor refuses to return her safe, non-wireless meter. For this situation to be allowed to occur in Melbourne “the world’s most liveable city” is an indictment upon the Victorian Government. While others in her neighbourhood are permitted to retain their analogue meter, not Sofia. This is clear discrimination!

Such behaviour is a denial of an essential service and therefore the denial of a basic human right – especially as Sofia’s electricity account is fully paid up!
Governments are supposed to represent the people who elect their representatives and not BIG business; however it appears from the punitive treatment being meted out to people like Sofia that the Victorian Government is actively working against the welfare of vulnerable Victorians in our communities.

It is because of these tragic developments in Sofia’s situation that we are appealing to you to sign this petition. Let’s hope this forces the Victorian Premier (Denis Napthine) and his new Energy Minister (Russell Northe) to back down from the government’s punitive measures against Sofia and her daughter. Please help Sofia get her old, safe meter back, and the power switched on.

image001

Related post: https://stopsmartmeters.com.au/2014/03/26/sofias-story-punitive-power-and-the-smart-meter-tyranny/

Posted in Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , | 28 Comments