As we head into winter, Labor has renewed calls for a winter energy supplement to help relieve the stress of increased power bills.
Shadow Energy Minister, David O’Byrne, said with the extra time spent at home because of COVID-19, thousands of households are already suffering from bill shock at a time when they can least afford it.
“We know this crisis has caused widespread pain for thousands of Tasmanians,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“20,000 people have lost their jobs, thousands more have had their hours reduced and many of them are already struggling to make ends meet.
“On top of this, with so many people still working from home, some students still learning from home and others heeding the call to only go out when necessary, there’s been increased energy use in the chilly lead-up to winter.
“With winter properly upon us today, the government must look at introducing a winter energy supplement to households in financial stress.
“Capping household power prices will not be enough to take the sharp edge off higher power bills for many households
“And, while Aurora Energy has made $5 million available to help both business and residential customers impacted by COVID-19, households need additional support to get them through these extraordinary times.
“I again urge the Premier to provide a winter energy supplement to households in financial stress, similar to the government’s 2018 election-eve provision of a $10 million special energy bonus in the middle of summer.”
David O’Byrne MP
Shadow Energy Minister
