❓ Mrs. Harvey questions the Premier on utility charge support for Western Australians receiving JobKeeper payments. The Premier outlines various government initiatives including frozen utility prices, doubled energy assistance payments, and support for those facing financial hardship.
AnsweredQoN 203Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
UTILITY CHARGES — GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
203. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
Although
the government's economic relief package is welcomed and supported by
the opposition, for the vast majority of Western Australians currently
looking to receive the Morrison government's $1 500 a fortnight
JobKeeper payment, can the Premier outline what his government is doing to help
them deal with utility charges, other than that it will not disconnect their
power?
UTILITY CHARGES — GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
203. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
Although
the government's economic relief package is welcomed and supported by
the opposition, for the vast majority of Western Australians currently
looking to receive the Morrison government's $1 500 a fortnight
JobKeeper payment, can the Premier outline what his government is doing to help
them deal with utility charges, other than that it will not disconnect their
power?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. A few weeks ago we
announced that we would not be increasing the basket of household goods;
that is, electricity and water charges for households and public transport
fares and the like across the community.
That commitment to the people of the state was in excess of $400 million. In
addition, we announced that the energy assistance payment will be
doubled for recipients. From memory, that affects around 300 000 people across Western
Australia. On top of that, today we announced that the doubling of the energy
assistance payment would also apply to those people becoming unemployed and who
obtain a concession card over the next few months. They will be the additional
beneficiaries of that payment, which amounts to an extra $25 million. We also
announced that for people who are having difficulty paying their bills for
COVID-related reasons, no interest would be applied and no-one would be
disconnected from water or power. On top of that, anyone with a Keystart loan who is facing financial hardship can apply
to defer principal payments and waive interest costs by up to six
months. That is a benefit of around $7 000 in terms of interest. Yesterday we
also announced a Lotterywest package. We are reorienting Lotterywest to become
an assistance vehicle for charities in particular. That package is worth $159 million
across the state. I am very pleased with that one. I met with the Lotterywest
board. It was very cooperative. I would like to thank Peter Klinken and the
board. On top of that, we have provided small business people with a $2 500
credit on their power bill. Small business people are householders as well.
Charities across the state will also receive that benefit.
We are taking targeted initiatives
designed to ensure that we create and keep employment in place, that charities
continue to operate and that we support households as best we can.
thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. A few weeks ago we
announced that we would not be increasing the basket of household goods;
that is, electricity and water charges for households and public transport
fares and the like across the community.
That commitment to the people of the state was in excess of $400 million. In
addition, we announced that the energy assistance payment will be
doubled for recipients. From memory, that affects around 300 000 people across Western
Australia. On top of that, today we announced that the doubling of the energy
assistance payment would also apply to those people becoming unemployed and who
obtain a concession card over the next few months. They will be the additional
beneficiaries of that payment, which amounts to an extra $25 million. We also
announced that for people who are having difficulty paying their bills for
COVID-related reasons, no interest would be applied and no-one would be
disconnected from water or power. On top of that, anyone with a Keystart loan who is facing financial hardship can apply
to defer principal payments and waive interest costs by up to six
months. That is a benefit of around $7 000 in terms of interest. Yesterday we
also announced a Lotterywest package. We are reorienting Lotterywest to become
an assistance vehicle for charities in particular. That package is worth $159 million
across the state. I am very pleased with that one. I met with the Lotterywest
board. It was very cooperative. I would like to thank Peter Klinken and the
board. On top of that, we have provided small business people with a $2 500
credit on their power bill. Small business people are householders as well.
Charities across the state will also receive that benefit.
We are taking targeted initiatives
designed to ensure that we create and keep employment in place, that charities
continue to operate and that we support households as best we can.
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