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) (14:05): I am very pleased to update the house on how the Allan Labor government’s power saving bonus is making a real difference to Victorians who need it the most. Over 94,000 Victorians have already applied for the $100 power saving bonus in just over two weeks. The member for Wendouree will be pleased to hear that more than 1700 Victorians in her electorate have applied for the power saving bonus funding so far. Not far behind is the member for Lara, where more than 1600 Victorians with a concession card have applied, and just over 1600 from Bellarine are benefiting as well. The Allan Labor government is delivering for all Victorians. That is exactly why the member for Shepparton will be excited to learn that the Allan Labor government is already delivering help to 1932 Victorian households in that electorate alone. And we cannot forget, of course, the member for Croydon, who knows how important a strong Labor government is to his electorate – a statement of fact, come over, Hodgie, for sure it is not too late – where more than 1800 Victorians have already applied for that bonus. This fifth round of the power saving bonus is providing real cost-of-living relief just in time for those winter energy bills that are about to hit the email and the letterboxes, and it is providing that support to those who need it the most.
We do not just lose our temper as a government or turn on our own when things get tough. What we do is get on with providing practical help, because that is what Labor governments do. And I remind everyone, if you have not jumped on the Victorian Energy Compare website, to apply for that power saving bonus. You can also get the best deals available to you to save money on your energy bills, because that money is better in your pocket than in the energy companies’, and only a Labor government helps Victorians with doing just that.