Tasmanians already struggling to pay their household bills will be under even more pressure with another rise in water bills on the way.
While the Economic Regulator has slapped down Peter Gutwein and TasWater’s plan for a massive 3.5 per cent rise in water bills, it will still allow increases of 3.07 per cent over the next four years.
For Tasmanians already struggling under the financial weight of cost-of-living pressures, this is still far too high, and will cost the average household $395 over the next four years.
The cash grab could not come at a worse time for families and individuals trying to stretch the household budget further and further to cover massive fuel bills, rising grocery costs, soaring rents and Peter Gutwein’s new bin tax.
That’s why Labor will be making a submission to the Economic Regulator to argue against these excessive increases.
The Premier is seriously out of touch if he thinks families can afford a massive increase to water bills right now, on top of everything else.
While Mr Gutwein tries to spin the economic figures in his favour, the Tasmanians who are living these pressures know just how much they are hurting.
With families under so much financial pressure, it is clear Peter Gutwein is not getting the basics of economic management right.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Finance and Economic Development
