Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Ministers statements: power saving bonus

Daniel ANDREWS (Mulgrave – Premier) (14:06): I am delighted to rise to update the house in relation to the government’s efforts to address the rising cost of living. We know that cost-of-living pressures are very real – very, very real when it comes to interest rate rises and other increases in costs. It is very challenging for families right across the state. That is why it is so pleasing to see 1.3 million Victorian households having applied for the power saving bonus. Sorry, 1.3 million have received the bonus. I have got to be very clear: it is more than that that have applied, and our staff are diligently working through processing those claims. That is $250 in families’ pockets, in their budgets, rather than anywhere else, and that is the best place for it. Plus of course going to a trusted comparison website – you can often be paying way too much – gives you an opportunity to be on the very best deal.

John Pesutto: Compare the pair.

Daniel ANDREWS: Well, compare the pair indeed, John. That is exactly right. Yes, there is a bit of that going around, mate. Compare the pair all you like.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask the members at the table to come to order.

Daniel ANDREWS: Yes, and past performance is a predictor of future. Anyway, I should not digress. It is so pleasing and it is so good to see government members out there making sure the community knows all about this program. But there are other members out there, and I quote:

… a $250 saving can mean the difference between putting food on the table or going hungry …

Another member said:

… cash back at a time when people need it most.

Who might that have been? Who might be out there spruiking the government’s agenda while simultaneously claiming there is no plan for the cost of living? Well, well, well, the Leader of the National Party, the member for Lowan and quite a few more. We are just waiting for you to spruik free TAFE, free kinder and free rego for tradie apprentices. If you want to sell it, mate, sell it properly.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask members to be a little respectful in the chamber.

Juliana Addison interjected.

The SPEAKER: The member for Wendouree can leave the chamber for 1 hour.

Member for Wendouree withdrew from chamber.