The Rockliff Liberal Government understands the continuing cost of living pressures on Tasmanian families and businesses.
That’s why we will provide $45 million in bill relief for those on low and fixed incomes and for small businesses.
This builds on a range of initiatives such as our Winter Bill Buster discount, our Energy Saver Loan schemes, and our hardship supports.
Our sensible, responsible economic management allows us to make targeted and considered investments to ease cost pressures and the National Energy Bill Relief Fund is a continuation of our strong track record in supporting those feeling pressure from rising electricity costs.
Up to 140,000 households and around 35,000 small businesses in Tasmania will be eligible for Energy Price Relief Rebates from 1 July, as part of a jointly funded scheme to reduce cost of living pressures as announced by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.
The Energy Price Relief Rebates will provide responsible but meaningful energy bill relief and help ease the pressure on families and small businesses.
As a result of the Energy Price Relief Plan, eligible Tasmanian households will receive $250 per annum for two years, and eligible small businesses will receive a total bill credit of $650 for 2023-24.
Treasurer, Michael Ferguson, said the Rockliff Liberal Government has been working closely with the Australian Government to design and agree on a support package that provides real relief to eligible households and small businesses.
“We are pleased, that through our continued engagement and persistence in having this addressed as a national issue, we have secured two years’ of bill relief for Tasmania. We have had funds set aside since February in readiness to provide this bill relief support and have now increased our contribution to around $45 million,” Mr Ferguson said.
“In partnering with the Australian Government we expect that our $45 million will support up to 140,000 Tasmanian households and around 35,000 small businesses.
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Guy Barnett, said this new package builds on the Tasmanian Government’s existing and extensive electricity cost supports, with our existing electricity concessions of $44.9 million this year, our $180 Winter Bill Buster payment last year, the $50 million Energy Saver Loan scheme available for households and small businesses and the $50 million loan scheme for larger commercial and industrial businesses,” Minister Barnett said.
“This fund will provide relief for eligible households from mid-2023 to mid-2025, with a total bill credit through their retailers of $250 per annum for two years, and eligible small businesses will receive a total bill credit of $650 for 2023-24.
“We have always said that we will continue to monitor electricity prices and cost of living pressures and will act in targeted manner to support Tasmanians, and that is exactly what we have done.”
