00:00These residents rely on power to keep their homes cool, but keeping it on has become a
00:08challenge.
00:09If there's no money, we just sleep till the next day or till our pay day.
00:21For most remote communities, prepaid plans are the only option their energy retailers
00:25provide.
00:26Can I get $50 power for my house please?
00:30While it works for some, many families say they struggle to keep up with payments, which
00:34means the power is suddenly turned off.
00:36Food can water, can keep a bridge on, it's off, and it'll be hot, you know.
00:46Almost 9,000 households on prepayment plans have on average 30 disconnections a year according
00:52to a landmark report.
00:54And during extreme heat events, those disconnections doubled.
00:57We need to see those state and territory and federal governments actually step up and look
01:02after prepayment customers.
01:03In a statement, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said he appreciated the report and was working
01:09with communities to get fairer, better deals out of their energy retailer.
01:14Some town camp residents have told me that people will take drastic action.
01:18Some mob will walk well over 10 kilometres, taking several hours, in extreme 40 degree heat,
01:23to come to selected Alice Springs stores to top up their credit.
01:27I take water and probably a shirt to cover my head up, or what is it here?
01:33Nicholas and his partner Judy rely on power to store life-saving medicine.
01:38For that reason, their power isn't shut off, but they now owe thousands.
01:42Looking at the dab of roses and writhers.
01:46Urgent calls for secure electricity to stay cool this summer.
01:49Number five days, Puerto Rico is accountable this summer.
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