| Home | Bookmark | Tell | Active petitions in over 75 countries | Follow GoPetition |
Petition Tag - rate
Kempsey Shire Council's proposed application to IPART for a Special Rate Variation has been strongly opposed by the Kempsey Shire community, yet despite this the council decided to proceed with the application even though during the 2011 meetings it was firmly expressed it would cause considerable hardship to the community.
It raises serious concerns about community representation on issues affecting the community.
This is an opportunity to have your voice heard, as this petition will be delivered to the organisation IPART who make the decision on applications for Special Rate Variations and who consider community input.
2. Stop Progress Energy Increased Rates 
Progress Energy has recently increased their bills causing people to pay twice their normal bills to pay for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Tampa, Florida. Nuclear power is very dangerous, and to place one in a populated area is indisputably reckless.
The cost of the plant is 17 billion dollars and Progress Energy currently serves 1.7 million people. This means that the price each household will pay (if split evenly) is 10,000 dollars. At the current rate, a little less that 8 percent (115.32 annually), this increase will be in effect for nearly 87 years unless more increases are to come to speed up the process. That's 87 years of these intense conditions, and in order to reduce the time, the payments must increase even more.
If you think it doesn't apply to you because you don't live in Florida think again. President Obama stated on February 16th "Investing in nuclear energy remains a necessary step" and "this is only the beginning." He plans to create nuclear power plants all over the US saying each one will create thousands of construction jobs with only 800 being permanent.
3. Coronial Juridiction for still-born babies
The Coroner cannot investigate any deaths of babies in utero - stillborn babies. No matter the circumstances or gestational age, a baby in one moment is not eligible for a Coronial Inquest and, a moment later (once a breath is taken), he or she is. Impact to parents, families and society is the same for a baby that is capable of independent life no matter whether a breath is taken. The Coroner's influence and powers is needed just the same: to investigate; to hold accountable; to bring awareness; to change. It is the institution that shines light on deaths of an unusual or concerning nature and recommends changes so these events don’t happen in the future.
Importantly, the number of stillbirth deaths has not changed, despite improvement in medical practice and technology, since the 1980s. And 30-35% of babies born still are said to have died of ‘causes unknown’. The Coroner’s Court can potentially help understand these deaths and ultimately motivate change.
So we seek a change to the Coroner’s Act so that these babies’ deaths can be under the jurisdiction of the Coroner’s Court.
Floridians are losing their homes and jobs at alarming rates. State and private workers are seeing their salaries either frozen or decreased.
Expenses for just about everything a family needs is increasing. And FPL now wants to increase its rates by 30%!
5. Call for Fair Pricing on Sony PS3 console, games & accessories in Australia
In Australia the current RRP (recommended retail price) of the 80GB console is $AU699.00. If we compare that price to what our fellow gamers in the United States - $US399.00, I'm sure you'll agree that we are not getting a fair deal in Australia on PS3s. Somehow we are incurring an 'Aussie Tax'!
Using a FAIR $US/$AU exchange rate of $0.70 (70c), we should only be paying $AU570.00 for the current 80GB model. In reality, we as a country are only being valued at $0.57 (57c) compared to the US dollar. (399/699 = 0.57)
The exchange rate at what Sony Australia values us as a country has actually worsened since launch of the PS3 console. The 60GB console in the US was $US599.00, whereas in Australia we had a RRP of $AU999.00, an effective exchange rate of $0.60 (60c). An absolute injustice at the time, our fair pricing situation in Australia has actually worsened by 2c since the newer 40GB model was released!
Current PS3 Games also have a 60c exchange rate (somehow!), using Metal Gear Solid 4 as an example, the US RRP is $US59.99, whereas in Australia, we have a RRP of $AU99.99.
As well as the Console & Games, Accessories also have an Aussie Tax! A common Dual Shock 3 controller is priced at $US54.99-59.99 in the US, whereas in Australia, they're priced between $AU89.99-99.99!
EDIT: in light of recent Aussie Dollar fluctuations, i've changed our target price drop value to $AU599.00