Renters and families to be hit hardest by new gas price rises, advocates warn

As new gas price rises come into effect on 1 February, renters and families will be disproportionately affected. Photograph: Vyacheslav Chistyakov/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

Consumer advocates are warning about the disproportionate cost-of-living impact on renters and families already struggling with energy bills as hefty gas price hikes hit four Australian states on Wednesday.

Gas companies, including AGL, Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia and Powershop, announced in January that they would again be raising prices, including daily supply charges, for many residential and business customers on 1 February.