Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Power saving bonus

Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (20:40): (1275) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Energy and Resources, and the action I seek is for the minister to visit my community and provide an update on the rollout of cost-of-living supports we are providing to locals to help with the cost of energy, including via the new $100 power saving bonus program. There is no greater issue than when it comes to cost of living for local households. A number of international, national and external factors ‍– including international geopolitical conflicts; tension and trade uncertainty, which continues to impact energy markets in particular; the cumulative effect of those 13 interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank; the prolonged effects of the pandemic on the economy, the workforce and supply chains; the ongoing disregard of big banks and energy and insurance companies in providing households with that meaningful hip-pocket cost-of-living relief; and of course that decade of underinvestment and Victoria not receiving its fair share from the previous Liberal Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments, especially their lack of investment when it came to clean, cheap and affordable energy – have all, when combined, played a role to compound today’s cost-of-living challenges. As the Victorian Labor government, we have remained absolutely committed to doing all we can to support local households with the cost of living through a range of meaningful, helpful initiatives, including with the cost of energy.

That is why I was delighted to welcome the opening by the minister of the new round of the $100 power saving bonus just this week. From 25 August locals from across Pascoe Vale, Coburg and Brunswick West with eligible pension and concession cards will once again be able to apply for that $100 power saving bonus. Locals can apply online via the Victorian Energy Compare website compare.energy.vic.gov.au, by calling 1800 000 832 or by simply visiting my electorate office at 180 ‍Gaffney Street in North Coburg, where either I or my friendly electorate office staff will be more than happy to help you fill out the form. All Victorians can benefit from that energy compare website. The energy compare website allows Victorians to search for their best possible energy deal by using this free and independent website to shop around for a lower price. Last year users typically saved $240 on their energy bills by finding a better energy deal and switching providers.

The $100 power saving bonus is in addition to the array of other cost-of-living supports we are providing to locals, particularly when it comes to energy: the previous $250 power saving bonus rounds; the $150 Energy Bill Relief Fund by the Albanese Labor government; the Solar Victoria rebates program; the Victorian energy upgrades program; the energy assistance program; the hot-water rebates; the insulation savings scheme, which starts from 2026; the launch of the new State Electricity Commission pilot program, which focuses on Merri-bek, to help people electrify and transition away to cheaper energy; the savings finder, which is offering Victorians 98 quick and simple ways to access savings and discounts and cost-of-living relief from government; the new seniors and cost-of-living booklets that my office is providing; the Victorian default offer, which is making sure people have the chance to get a fair electricity deal; and Victoria maintaining the lowest energy wholesale price in Australia. It is great to see the minister in the chamber, and I welcome her to visit my electorate to talk about these and the many other initiatives that we are providing to support locals.