Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Ministers statements: power saving bonus

Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:29): I am absolutely delighted to update the house on how round 4 of the $250 power saving bonus is providing real cost-of-living relief to Victorian households. Closing tomorrow, the fourth round of the power saving bonus has helped more than 1.7 million households since March.

Daniel Andrews: How many?

Lily D’AMBROSIO: 1.7 million, Premier. That is on top of the 480,000 bonuses in round 1, 410,000 bonuses in round 2 and 1.85 million in round 3. In fact since the program started in 2018 4.44 million bonuses have been paid out, totalling more than $1 billion paid into the pockets of hardworking Victorian households. Right across our state, Victorian households have benefited from our bill-busting bonus. In just this round, 28,000 households have received a bonus in each of Oakleigh, Albert Park and Laverton that totals $21 million of direct bill relief, not to mention around 23,000 households in Melton, in Cranbourne and in Bellarine, closely followed by Box Hill, Preston and Broadmeadows, which have each seen $6.7 million going straight into the pockets of households in those communities. Then there were 22,000 bonuses in Geelong, in Northcote and in Sydenham, and let us not forget Wendouree with more than 21,000 bonuses.

Local members right across the state, even those opposite, have been helping out constituents with access to the bonus where needed. So if you have not applied yet and you are short of cash to pay for that unexpected bill – even a legal bill perhaps – do not postpone it. Do not put off till Friday what you can do today or indeed tomorrow. And if anyone tells you differently, sue them for defamation.