❓ Question regarding waiting times for the Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) and adequacy of financial counselling services due to increased electricity prices. The Minister acknowledges the issue and discusses funding increases.
AnsweredQoN 77Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HARDSHIP UTILITY GRANT SCHEME — FINANCIAL COUNSELLING SERVICES
That is an open and transparent government! Hon Norman Moore : Are you going anywhere yourself? Hon SUE ELLERY : No; I am staying here. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
That is an open and transparent government! Hon Norman Moore : Are you going anywhere yourself? Hon SUE ELLERY : No; I am staying here. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon Norman Moore : Are you going anywhere yourself? Hon SUE ELLERY : No; I am staying here. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon SUE ELLERY : No; I am staying here. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
(1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
(2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
(3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
(1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon Norman Moore : Are you going anywhere yourself? Hon SUE ELLERY : No; I am staying here. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon SUE ELLERY : No; I am staying here. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon SUE ELLERY : Thank you, Mr President. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
(1) Is the minister aware that there is a four to six-week waiting period to get an appointment with a financial counsellor for the hardship utility grant scheme—or HUGS assistance? (2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
(2) Can the minister advise whether additional funding will be provided for financial counselling services to specifically ensure that staffing resources are adequate, as opposed to the grant amount, to deal with the impact of the Barnett government’s increase in electricity prices? (3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
(3) Does the minister acknowledge that many of the new applicants for HUGS assistance are not people who cannot manage their money but people whose income levels cannot accommodate the spike in energy prices? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
I thank the member for her question. (1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
(1)–(3) Yes, I am aware that in the city there is a four to six-week wait. I had a meeting with WACOSS yesterday and we discussed the HUG program and the burden electricity prices are placing upon people and whether the waiting period can be improved. I have just spoken to Hon Peter Collier, the Minister for Energy, and a $16.8 million increase has just been given for the hardship program rather than for the HUG scheme. Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon Sue Ellery : Is that for staff or the grant amount? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I was just going to say that the question would be better asked of the Minister for Energy. Certainly, within the last six months there has been an increase of approximately $5 million for the hardship program. This other increase from the Minister for Energy, will, I hope, decrease the waiting period. In the country, the wait is not as long as the four to six-week wait in the city. I have been out into the regions and asked about the situation. There is a bit of a waiting period but the local people in the financial counselling services know the people who are coming in. Assistance is easier to provide in a country town than it is in the city.
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