Tuesday, 31 March 2026

 Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (18:17): (2453) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Energy and Resources. The action I seek is for the minister to provide information on the number of households in the Northern Metro Region that claimed the power saving bonus in this round. This week marks the conclusion –in fact, tonight marks the conclusion – of the latest round of the power saving bonus for concession card households, a program that has been a fantastic example of the Allan Labor government’s commitment to providing real cost-of-living relief for Victorians. This initiative has been incredibly successful, particularly for those across the region who are doing it tough with the rising cost of living. Throughout this round my office has been contacted by many, many constituents who are eager to access this $100 payment that goes directly to their power bills, but we know that the pressure on household budgets does not stop with the utility bill.

For parents in the north we have made it easier to keep kids healthy and engaged with the Get Active Kids voucher program. We have also seen a significant increase in the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund to now $400 for both primary and secondary students. But perhaps most importantly for the month ahead, throughout the entire month of April public transport will be completely free across our state. Whether you are commuting to work from Rezza or taking the family into the city from Broady, this is real money staying in your pocket every single day. These are not just one-off announcements. They are a suite of practical measures designed to provide relief for our community during a difficult economic time. Providing genuine cost-of-living relief is at the very heart of what the Allan Labor government does. We know that many Victorians are doing it tough right now; there is no doubting it, and that is why we are taking action to put money back in the pockets of those who need it most.