❓ Mrs O'Malley asks the Premier about cost-of-living support measures. The Premier details electricity credits, low fee increases, and the doubled KidSport program, highlighting their positive impact and Perth's low inflation rate.
AnsweredQoN 564Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COST-OF-LIVING RELIEF
564. Mrs L.M. O'MALLEY to the Premier:
I begin by acknowledging the students from Southern River
College on behalf of the member for Southern River.
I refer to cost-of-living support provided to Western Australians
by the Cook Labor government.
(1) Can the
Premier update the house on how these support measures are providing
much-needed assistance to households in the face of global inflation pressures?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house how new measures, such as the doubling of KidSport
vouchers, will further support the Western Australian community?
564. Mrs L.M. O'MALLEY to the Premier:
I begin by acknowledging the students from Southern River
College on behalf of the member for Southern River.
I refer to cost-of-living support provided to Western Australians
by the Cook Labor government.
(1) Can the
Premier update the house on how these support measures are providing
much-needed assistance to households in the face of global inflation pressures?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house how new measures, such as the doubling of KidSport
vouchers, will further support the Western Australian community?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question and join her in
acknowledging the students from Southern River College, the students from
Aveley Secondary College and also the second cohort of Penrhos College students
who have just entered the public gallery. It is standing room only for question
time! I also take the opportunity to acknowledge the presence today of the
Deputy Premier's daughter. I very much welcome all students here to the
chamber today.
Several members interjected.
Mr R.H. COOK : I was trying to anonymise it as much as
I could. I was trying not to embarrass individuals, so I mentioned a lot of
schools. I clearly failed. Not to worry; I will have to get punished for that
later.
(1)–(2)
When I became Premier, I committed to three important tasks. The first is to
make sure that we look after the state's finances, the second is to
keep the economy strong and the third is to look after those who are doing it
tough. As we all know, we are seeing the impact of inflation and cost-of-living
pressures on all citizens right around the world. Western Australia is not
immune from that. Locally, interest rate rises by the Reserve Bank have had a huge
impact on the cost of living for many Australians. My government is doing what
it can to provide support and relief from the cost of living where possible. As
members would be aware, all households in Western Australia will receive two
electricity credits on their power bills this year. There was the $200 credit
in July, and a second $200 credit will be provided in December, when people are looking at the costs associated with
Christmas and keeping their air conditioners going. I am sure many
people appreciate that. I got a letter just today from a publican who thanked
us for the $650 electricity credit to all small businesses. It is a really
important contribution for the costs that impact people. On top of that, in terms of the electricity charges
rebates, we have also kept fees and charges low, with government controlled household fees and charges up just 2.4
per cent this year. It is the lowest increase in the country and way
below the rate of inflation. Just last week, me and the Minister for Sport and
Recreation, Minister Templeman, who is beaming at the moment —
Mr D.A. Templeman : Beaming, actually beaming. Yes,
indeed—beaming!
Mr R.H. COOK : We announced a very important doubling
of the KidSport program. This was originally $150. Today, with these changes,
over 110 000 people will be eligible for a $300 KidSport voucher. This means
that families with kids, particularly those who are struggling to afford
registration fees and other costs associated with sport, will be able to get a significant boost to make sure that their
kids do not miss out. We have extended the r ange of eligible costs, so it is not just for registration fees. This year we
are now going to make it that they can put it towards the cost of
uniforms and equipment. In addition, we are also extending eligibility to make
sure that kids in care, kids of asylum seekers or refugee families can also be
eligible for the $300 KidSport allowance. This will provide a significant boost to household incomes for these
struggling families, and of course we know that these kids are often marginalised. This means that they can get the same opportunities in sport and
involvement in their community as other kids. It is an important contribution
for their wellbeing.
Our cost-of-living relief is making a difference. The most
recent inflation data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that
Perth had the lowest inflation in the country. This is incredibly pleasing to
see. Potentially, it means that there is
light at the end of the inflation tunnel. Although the cost of living is still
difficult, no doubt it is positive to see that the measures we are
putting in place are making a real difference. It also includes the cost of
transportation with our fare-free Sunday sessions introduced by the Minister
for Transport, making public transport free across the system on the first
Sunday of each month. In addition, our two-zone fare cap is saving commuters, particularly from the member for Dawesville's
electorate, literally thousands of dollars a year on their public transport fares. Our regional residents are also assisted with our regional airfare zone
cap, which has locked in affordable airfare
travel for regional residents to travel around the state. The Minister for
Transport recently announced that over 151 000 affordable airfare
tickets have already been purchased under the scheme in the first 12 months
alone. That is a significant contribution to relieving households of the cost
of living, wherever they might live in Western Australia.
Although the current
inflationary pressures are global, we understand that the impacts are local.
The forecast from Treasury is showing positive signs for WA with relief
on the horizon. With our strong economy and responsible budget measures, my
government will ensure that we continue to have the financial capacity to
support Western Australians, looking after our finances, keeping our economy
strong and making sure that we look after those who are least able to.
acknowledging the students from Southern River College, the students from
Aveley Secondary College and also the second cohort of Penrhos College students
who have just entered the public gallery. It is standing room only for question
time! I also take the opportunity to acknowledge the presence today of the
Deputy Premier's daughter. I very much welcome all students here to the
chamber today.
Several members interjected.
Mr R.H. COOK : I was trying to anonymise it as much as
I could. I was trying not to embarrass individuals, so I mentioned a lot of
schools. I clearly failed. Not to worry; I will have to get punished for that
later.
(1)–(2)
When I became Premier, I committed to three important tasks. The first is to
make sure that we look after the state's finances, the second is to
keep the economy strong and the third is to look after those who are doing it
tough. As we all know, we are seeing the impact of inflation and cost-of-living
pressures on all citizens right around the world. Western Australia is not
immune from that. Locally, interest rate rises by the Reserve Bank have had a huge
impact on the cost of living for many Australians. My government is doing what
it can to provide support and relief from the cost of living where possible. As
members would be aware, all households in Western Australia will receive two
electricity credits on their power bills this year. There was the $200 credit
in July, and a second $200 credit will be provided in December, when people are looking at the costs associated with
Christmas and keeping their air conditioners going. I am sure many
people appreciate that. I got a letter just today from a publican who thanked
us for the $650 electricity credit to all small businesses. It is a really
important contribution for the costs that impact people. On top of that, in terms of the electricity charges
rebates, we have also kept fees and charges low, with government controlled household fees and charges up just 2.4
per cent this year. It is the lowest increase in the country and way
below the rate of inflation. Just last week, me and the Minister for Sport and
Recreation, Minister Templeman, who is beaming at the moment —
Mr D.A. Templeman : Beaming, actually beaming. Yes,
indeed—beaming!
Mr R.H. COOK : We announced a very important doubling
of the KidSport program. This was originally $150. Today, with these changes,
over 110 000 people will be eligible for a $300 KidSport voucher. This means
that families with kids, particularly those who are struggling to afford
registration fees and other costs associated with sport, will be able to get a significant boost to make sure that their
kids do not miss out. We have extended the r ange of eligible costs, so it is not just for registration fees. This year we
are now going to make it that they can put it towards the cost of
uniforms and equipment. In addition, we are also extending eligibility to make
sure that kids in care, kids of asylum seekers or refugee families can also be
eligible for the $300 KidSport allowance. This will provide a significant boost to household incomes for these
struggling families, and of course we know that these kids are often marginalised. This means that they can get the same opportunities in sport and
involvement in their community as other kids. It is an important contribution
for their wellbeing.
Our cost-of-living relief is making a difference. The most
recent inflation data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that
Perth had the lowest inflation in the country. This is incredibly pleasing to
see. Potentially, it means that there is
light at the end of the inflation tunnel. Although the cost of living is still
difficult, no doubt it is positive to see that the measures we are
putting in place are making a real difference. It also includes the cost of
transportation with our fare-free Sunday sessions introduced by the Minister
for Transport, making public transport free across the system on the first
Sunday of each month. In addition, our two-zone fare cap is saving commuters, particularly from the member for Dawesville's
electorate, literally thousands of dollars a year on their public transport fares. Our regional residents are also assisted with our regional airfare zone
cap, which has locked in affordable airfare
travel for regional residents to travel around the state. The Minister for
Transport recently announced that over 151 000 affordable airfare
tickets have already been purchased under the scheme in the first 12 months
alone. That is a significant contribution to relieving households of the cost
of living, wherever they might live in Western Australia.
Although the current
inflationary pressures are global, we understand that the impacts are local.
The forecast from Treasury is showing positive signs for WA with relief
on the horizon. With our strong economy and responsible budget measures, my
government will ensure that we continue to have the financial capacity to
support Western Australians, looking after our finances, keeping our economy
strong and making sure that we look after those who are least able to.
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