Smart Meters and the Federal Election – Where do candidates and parties stand?

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Stop Smart Meters Australia and Citizens Advocating for a Safe Environment have received the following responses from candidates and political parties regarding the forced installation of smart meters in Victoria.

 

Katter’s Australian Party

Rob Danieli, Katter’s Australian Party lead Senate candidate for Victoria said “The forced installation of smart meters in Victoria is wrong and completely goes against the core values and principles of our party.  Victorians should not be discriminated against.  We should have the same rights as other states to be able to opt out of the AMI [Advanced Metering Infrastructure] program. While the AMI program in Victoria is a state government initiative (but also promoted by COAG), if I am elected to the Senate, I will endeavour to support my fellow Victorians to stand up for their civil rights.  For various legitimate reasons, including health, privacy and safety, many Victorians are opposed to the forced installation of smart meters, yet they are being ignored by the two corporate-controlled major parties  If smart meters can be optional in other states and in other countries, why not Victoria?”  The Victorian Branch of Katter’s Australian Party has adopted a smart meter policy.  See attachment: Advanced Metering Infrastructure Reform Policy

Democratic Labour Party (DLP)

Mark Farrell, DLP lead Senate candidate for Victoria said “The Democratic Labour Party and I believe that every person has the right to reject a smart meter on their property. This is based on:

a)     They are not properly tested.

b)     They are dangerous.

c)     They give too much government control over power use.

d)     Health reasons.

e)     The current Victorian State Government before they were elected promised all Victorians that nobody would be forced to have a smart meter.

The DLP and I if elected will voice everyone’s concern and objections to the current roll out of Smart Meters.”

This anecdote about Mark Farrell was emailed to SSMA by one of its members: “Mark Farrell found a smart meter installer about to install a smart meter on his farmhouse.  Mark told the installer that he didn’t want a smart meter and not to put it on but the installer took no notice and proceeded to install it.  (The meter box was not locked then, but it is now). Mark then got his tractor, a tow rope and proceeded to attach it to the smart meter installer’s van telling him that the vehicle was impounded until he stopped putting the smart meter in.  As the vehicle was about to be hooked up and towed away, the smart meter installer quickly picked up his tools and left the property.”

The following responses were also received:Summary of Federal Responses

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

Take Back Your Power film premiere

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

After two years in development, “Take Back Your Power” premieres internationally on 5th September (2:00 am 6th September, Australian Eastern Standard time).  We at SSMA were fortunate to see the film in advance, and were truly impressed with the film, as it is exposing the issues for all to see.  We’re also pleased to see some Australian footage being featured!

“Utility companies are replacing electricity, gas and water meters worldwide with new generation “smart” meters at an unprecedented rate. Take Back Your Power investigates the benefits and risks of this ubiquitous “smart” grid program, with insight from insiders, expert researchers, politicians, doctors, and concerned communities. Transparency advocate Josh del Sol takes us on a journey of revelation and discovery, as he questions corporations’ right to tap our private information and erode our rights in the name of “green”. What you discover will surprise you, unsettle you, and inspire you to challenge the status quo.”

Click on the image below to pre-order your online viewing or DVD of the film.  You’ll save 20% on the price by pre-ordering.

Take back your power film

The film-makers are also supporting community screenings across Australia.  For more info, go to: http://takebackyourpower.net/host-a-screening

Be sure to watch this film – it is a game-changer – and help get the word out.  Support SSMA by sharing our Take Back Your Power affiliate link by email or facebook with everyone you know: http://ykr.be/1djwcaljf5

Posted in Smart Meter | 6 Comments

The time is ripe to ALL ask our politicians

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Let’s all ask our politicians (and aspiring politicians) what their policies are on smart meters and related issues.

Don’t wait, send an email today, let’s fill their inboxes with messages showing them our concerns are real.  Or even phone them

Contact details for House of Representatives and Senate candidates can be found at: http://www.aec.gov.au/election/who-are-the-candidates.htm
Don’t whinge and wait like we Aussies are accustomed to doing, Let’s ACT NOW.

Posted in Smart Meter | 27 Comments

Power company tactics reduce anti-smart meter customers to tears in rollout

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

SMART meter rebels have accused power companies of dirty tricks and disconnection threats as the statewide rollout continues.

Anti-smart meter campaigner Sonja Rutherford said tearful customers were reporting “bullying” and “stalking” tactics.

One was allegedly told she “would have to get a generator” if she refused installation, while an elderly pensioner claimed an installer lay in wait outside her home until she went shopping.

Thousands of householders are resisting the rollout despite a December 31 deadline.

Some have padlocked and covered meters to try to thwart the government program.

A standard notice sent by distributor Jemena ahead of all installations states: “If you deny access to your property, Jemena may, in accordance with the Electricity Distribution Code, disconnect your supply as a last resort until access to exchange and test the meter is provided.”

United Energy’s frequently asked questions correspondence notes “Failure to replace meters may ultimately result in the disconnection of your electricity supply”.

Both said no customers had been directly threatened with disconnection.

They discussed concerns, and would continue “to work with the Government to determine an agreed approach for customers who refuse the meter exchange”.

Power companies insist they have the legal right to cut off electricity if access is repeatedly denied.

To date no customers have been disconnected.

The potential for the extreme action emerged in late 2011 after a decision to press ahead with the former Labor government’s rollout.

Opponents dispute that they can be forced to comply.

Energy Minister Nicholas Kotsiras said distributors had to engage with concerned customers.

“I would be very disappointed if a disconnection took place simply because a distributor was not prepared to work with the customer to explain the rollout of smart meters,” Mr Kotsiras said.

Most protesters voice concerns about loss of democratic rights, privacy breaches or sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation.

Karen Collier
Adapted from: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/national-news/victoria/power-company-tactics-reduce-anti-smart-meter-customers-to-tears-in-rollout/story-fnii5sms-1226706045697#ixzz2dLeEBlef

 

Posted in Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , | 52 Comments

Letter of the Week

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Gerhard is offering United Energy lessons in the meaning of some simple English words such as “No”.

Have a read of Gerhard’s letter, we are sure you will enjoy!

Letter to United Energy

Posted in There is no such law, United Energy | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Smart meter installer held ‘hostage’ – Herald Sun

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

This article appeared recently:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/smart-meter-installer-held-8216hostage8217/story-fni0fit3-1226702386756

As a follow-up to this article, Neil Mitchell from 3AW interviewed David on Friday morning.  He is trying to get a smart meter installer charged  with trespass. The installer had gone ahead and installed the smart meter despite being told to leave the property, so the owner blocked his driveway with his ute & the installer was not able to leave. The owner then called the police. Police thought the owner had a good case…..the policeman said if we (the police) come to your property and we are told to leave, we have to and we can only come back if we have a search warrant. David had safety concerns about smart meters, but his main issue with them was about his rights and being ‘forced’ to have one”

Posted in Smart Meter | 40 Comments

Petition Hon Nicholas Kotsiras

Posted on August 25, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

“Government & Power Companies: People are being forced from their homes. Give us a choice to remove & refuse the smart meter

Smart Meter Protest
In a country such as Australia you expect to feel safe in your home, you expect the Government and authorities to provide protection, and perhaps above all you expect to have a right of choice over matters both large and small that affect your life. Unfortunately for me these beliefs and my life have been turned on its head courtesy of the Government mandating the power companies to use their ‘best endeavours’ to install smart meters on my home and all the homes & businesses in Victoria.
Last night I lay in bed clutching my chest as electric shock type sensations surged through me. This has been a normal occurrence since the installation of a smart meter onto my home. Previously my house had been my sanctuary, now it is my hell. I have become sleep deprived through regular painful shocks to my head, my heart and my bones. I have head pain, bone pain and chest pain, heart palpitations, burning eyes and so on. I start each day in a zombie like state of tiredness, pain and disorientation.
These are all common symptoms for someone considered electro sensitive and from my encounters with others I have come to learn that thousands of people have been affected. It is claimed that 3% of the population have this sensitivity and with the saturation of ‘smart’ technology and wi fi this number will only increase. This figure accords with my experience and conversations with others for whom the introduction of the smart meter was a life changing event of the very worst type.”

Fiona Shanti

Read more and join the petition at change.org give us a choice to remove and refuse the smart-meter

change.org

Posted in best endeavours, Chest pain, Electric Shock, electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), Energy Minister, headaches, hypersensitivity (EHS), insomnia, On-line Petition, sleepless nights, Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Northcote resident says smart meter caused her tinnitus

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

A Northcote woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes the smart meter installed on the front of her home has caused her to suffer tinnitus.

She says her pleas to an ­electricity provider to get rid of the smart meter she’s blaming for her tinnitus are falling on deaf ears.

She is calling for residents to have access to an opt-out clause similar to Holland and the UK where people can refuse similar technology.

She said she started getting tinnitus – a condition that causes ringing in the ears – after moving into her house, which has a smart meter installed next to her bedroom.

“I’m just exhausted because I can’t get any sleep with the constant ringing in my ears – sometimes it’s so bad I feel as if my head’s ­going to explode,” she said.

“Even when I sleep in ­another room in the house, I still get the ringing but it’s not quite as bad.” She said when she stayed at friends’ houses where there were no smart meters, the problem went away.

She said a doctor had diagnosed tinnitus and given her a letter of support in a bid to get CitiPower to remove the meter. But despite several requests, the company has refused to remove it and ­reinstall an analog system.

Posted in Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Stop Exposing Children to WiFi and 3G in our schools

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

invite_to_co-operate

Wireless RF emissions from smart meters are not the only concern parents have for their developing children. Schools, libraries and other public places are rolling out wireless networks without any consideration for the long term consequences that RF may have on health, behavioral issues, autism and other neurological effects. Evidence is continually building that clearly shows we should be concerned. We can send a powerful message to our Politicians that enough is enough by supporting  Parents from WiFi in Schools Australia who have established a petition on Avaaz.

Please sign and share the Avaaz community petition – “Australian Schools: Stop Exposing Children to Radiation from WiFi and 3G until long-term exposure is proven harmless”.

Please help grow this petition to reflect public concern. 

If we get enough signers, WiFi in Schools Australia can then also seek the assistance of the Avaaz team to launch a new, global Avaaz campaign.  This global campaign could help urgently move world government bureaucrats and politicians to revise current RF safety standards to better protect public health.  

Please sign and share this petition with others working/wanting to help protect and preserve all biological life on the planet.

You can email friends, family, organisations, lists and even your whole address book.

With hope, best wishes and appreciation of your support,

Parents from WiFi in Schools Australia

More information at www.wifi-in-schools-australia.org

Posted in Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

535,970 Smart Meters have still not been installed in Victoria

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

SSMA has extrapolated the spin from the power companies in yesterday’s Herald Sun article that was also recently posted on the SSMA Website.

Congratulations to those who have taken measures to protect your families from the health, privacy and cost impacts directly related to Smart Meters.

The facts speak for themselves, keep up the fight Victoria…….

INSTALLED                                                                                  NOT INSTALLED

67%  JEMENA                                                        33% OF 319,000                    105,270

69%  UNITED ENERGY                                       31% OF 640,000                    198,400

79%  SP AUSNET                                                   21% OF 640,000                    134,400

90%  POWERCOR                                                 10% OF 700,000                    70,000

91%  CITIPOWER                                                  9% OF 310,000                      27,900

GRAND TOTAL                             2,609,000                   535,970  not installed as of 8/08/13

That equals 20.5% of 2,609,000 that do not have a smart meter installed

20.5% of Victorians is enough votes to destabilize any government.  When will the Victorian Government stop and listen to its people?

The fact that some of the utilities have a large % still outstanding and with less than 5 months to go to the end of the year this probably explains the apparent desperation and bullying tactics being employed.

In a democracy we have transparency, choice and continual dialogue – something the Victorian Government has failed on in all counts.

Thank you to all those who have supported SSMA as we continue to support all Victorians.

Original Herald Sun article linked here

Posted in Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , | 117 Comments