Cold spell prompts fears of power price rises

A cold spell across Australia's south-eastern states has led to record demand in the national electricity market. The latest inflation indicator highlights a rise in electricity prices over the 12 months to May of around 6 .5 per cent - an outcome tempered by government rebates. But an update by the Australian Energy Regulator, flagging a 23 per cent rise in the cost of producing energy, is triggering concerns about the flow-on cost to consumers.