Energy policy
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:39): (1004) My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, I refer to a brief on energy affordability and the cost of living signed by your predecessor Mr Pallas. The material put to Mr Pallas notes:
… most households are well-placed to absorb some energy bill increases in the short-term …
And it states that:
… most Victorian households are well-placed to manage cost of living pressures …
I ask therefore: do your briefings show that Victorians are well placed to manage energy cost increases, or is this a cruel lie?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:40): Mr Davis, you are quoting from a document that you have described as a document that was prepared for my predecessor. It makes it difficult when you are quoting from a document that you have not previously shown me. I think in answering your question I am not going to detail the briefs that come into my office. That would take a very long time. What I would say is that in relation to assisting households with their energy costs and their cost of living the government – this is a focus of ours. Cost-of-living support – whether it is helping eligible people reduce their power bills through the power saving bonus, and a round just opened recently, or discounts and rebates available for transitioning to electric products to reduce people’s household costs – is about recognising that there are families under pressure. There are a range of initiatives that we continually talk about and are very proud of on this side of the house, which I am sure you are well versed in, because we continually talk about them.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:41): It is a fact that the minister obviously does receive similar briefs, and she has not answered the question about whether they show a similar attitude. Treasurer, the brief continues:
Living cost increases have been hard to avoid, particularly with non-discretionary expenses such as rent, food and fuel growing faster than wages. Most Victorian households have enough income, savings and wealth to manage price rises without major sacrifices …
Mr Pallas was told. I ask: is it your government’s policy –
Members interjecting.
Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, given your rulings from earlier this day, could you please ask the backbench over there, who are squawking very loudly, to refrain, because I could not hear the question.
The PRESIDENT: Can I call the whole house to order, please. Getting back to when a minister provokes the other side, they should not be too sad about people reacting to that. I kind of feel that it is not a one-way street.
David DAVIS: To conclude:
Most Victorian households have enough income, savings and wealth to manage price rises without major sacrifices …
Mr Pallas was told and that is signed. Treasurer, is it your government’s policy that most Victorian households have enough income, savings and wealth to manage price rises without major sacrifices?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:43): I think that is certainly inviting me to talk about the $100 round of the power saving bonus for eligible households with a concession card. Mr Davis, I think that would indicate that we are very, very conscious of the pressure that families are under. We know that energy costs can be a significant impact on cost-of-living challenges. It is why we have run four rounds of the power saving bonus, continuing with the one that we just opened in August.