Liberals not doing enough to help Tasmanians doing it tough 15 November 2023

Tas Labor

The cost-of-living crisis is hurting Tasmanians and the Rockliff Government clearly isn’t doing enough to provide much-needed relief.

In fact, the Liberals’ misuse of Hydro as a cash cow for their broken budget is placing even more pressure on every day Tasmanians.

Today in Parliament, Labor shared the experiences of Chris Meier and Todd Gittus, with skyrocketing power prices making it incredibly difficult for them to make ends meet.

Todd’s power prices have gone up so much that in order to keep the lights on he has had to cut back on groceries and doesn’t have enough money to take his cat to the vet.

Chris, who is unable to work because of spinal injuries, is living in an outbuilding on a friend’s property because he cannot afford to pay rent, food, power and medical expenses.

The Rockliff Government is making $100 million profit from Hydro yet it is only providing a $30 rebate to Tasmanians on their power bill. This rebate doesn’t even scrape the surface.

The Liberals could have provided meaningful relief by capping power prices, which would save households $500 a year. Instead, the Rockliff Government voted against it three times.

With Christmas just around the corner, the Rockliff Government must outline what support it will provide Tasmanians struggling with the cost of living.

Cost of living is the number one issue facing Tasmanians and that’s why Labor will cap power price increases if elected to government and will legislate to do so in the first 100 days of taking office.

Rebecca White MP

Tasmanian Labor Leader

/Public Release. View in full here.