Thursday, 31 July 2025

Non-mains energy concession

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:17): (985) My question is to the Minister for Disability. Minister, yesterday you said you needed names of those who have been waiting for more than five months for the non-mains energy concession before you would take action to fix the issues at hand. Here are two names that have not been paid in full after five months. They are Graham Whittemore and John Webb. I will present you with these names at the end of question time, and there are more to come. Minister, this is the tip of the iceberg, and there are many, many more. Why don’t you just get on with making a commitment to fixing the program, which is clearly flawed on a large scale, rather than demanding individual names before you act?

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:18): I thank Ms Bath for her follow-up today. I would at the outset correct her misrepresentation. As I have said a number of times, both in response to Ms Bath yesterday and in response to questions of a similar nature, it is absolutely my expectation that people get the supports and services that they are entitled to, and if for some reason there has been a reason why a particular constituent has not been able to access the supports and services that they are entitled to, then, as do a number of other members on all sides of this chamber, raising those matters directly with me so that I can assist them to assist their constituents is my absolute priority, rather than political pointscoring in the way that we are seeing from Ms Bath.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: There is a bit of noise to the right of me. Mr Davis, you have been very, very loud this week. I am not saying you are not loud on other occasions, but it seems this week – it might be just me, and maybe I have not been paying attention previously – you have been very loud. I would ask if you could cooperate with the chamber.

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:19): I thank the minister for her response. Minister, as mentioned yesterday, these people stated that they are still being cut off when they inquire as to the status of their claims on the phone. Will you also commit to ensuring people who call are answered and treated with the respect that they deserve?

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:20): Thank you, Ms Bath. As I think my substantive answer indicated, I would be more than happy to help Ms Bath assist her constituents, and she should provide the details to my office so that we can do exactly that.