The McGowan Government has saved Western Australian households an average of $663.52 on their household basket of fees and charges for 2020-21.
This is the first time in 15 years that the household basket of fees and charges has decreased in WA and the first time in history a Government has provided a $600 credit for WA household’s electricity bills.
The last time there was a reduction in household charges was in 2005-06.
The reduction comes through a suite of measures from the McGowan Government to help WA households recover from the impacts of COVID-19. These measures include:
- $600 one-off WA Household Electricity Credit for all Western Australian households;
- Reduction in the Emergency Services Levy, wastewater and drainage charges following the McGowan Government’s decision to pass on lower GRVs; and
- A freeze on electricity and water tariffs, motor vehicle related charges and public transport fares.
The $663.52 saving comes on top of other McGowan Government’s Recovery Plan initiatives, including a one-off doubling of the Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) to $610 in 2020 and a policy that no households in WA experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 will have their power or water disconnected.
The expansion of the EAP ensures that any person unemployed due to COVID-19 who becomes eligible for a concession card will receive an upfront $305 credited against their electricity bill (from May 11, 2020) and up to a further $305 credited over the course of the next year. This means that including the Household Electricity Credit, a total of $1,210 will be provided to assist around 300,000 vulnerable households.
With the $600 credit, effective as at October 4, 2020, the average WA household can expect a total saving of $663.52, or a one-off reduction of 10.4 per cent, on their household fees and charges this year.
In contrast, the previous Liberal National Government increased WA household electricity prices by 90 per cent during their time in office, and increased the total basket of fees and charges by almost $2,100.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Our strong and stable budget management has given us the capacity to lower household fees and charges.
“This will provide relief to many Western Australians and will help inject more money into our economy, supporting WA jobs.
“Every Western Australian household will benefit and this is pleasing because this will further assist in bouncing back from the impacts of COVID-19.
“The WA Household Electricity Credit is all part of our plan for WA to recover from the pandemic, stronger than ever.”
As stated by Treasurer Ben Wyatt:
“Never has there been a Government in Western Australia that has provided a $600 credit for household electricity bills and reduced the household basket of fees and charges.
“This year, the average WA household can expect to save about $664 on their household fees and charges.
“One of the best ways the Government can provide relief to households is through lower fees and charges.
“Not only does it assist households in need but increases disposable income in WA, providing a significant injection into the WA economy as it recovers from COVID-19.”
