❓ Mr. Hatton questions the Treasurer about WA's household fees and charges compared to other states following the 2015-16 budget announcement. The Treasurer defends the government's record, highlighting moderated electricity prices and generous concessions for seniors.
AnsweredQoN 418Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE
BUDGET 2015–16 — HOUSEHOLD FEES AND CHARGES
418. Mr C.D. HATTON to the
Treasurer:
I refer to the state budget announced last week. Can the
Treasurer please update the house on how Western Australia's household
fees and charges compare with other states?
BUDGET 2015–16 — HOUSEHOLD FEES AND CHARGES
418. Mr C.D. HATTON to the
Treasurer:
I refer to the state budget announced last week. Can the
Treasurer please update the house on how Western Australia's household
fees and charges compare with other states?
AnswerView source ↗
I would like to thank the member for that very important
question. Throughout our period in government, we have faced many challenges.
When we first came to power, the most pressing one was dealing with the other
side's botched electricity reforms. It took a system that was earning a
profit for the state to one that up until last year was being subsidised to the
tune of $450 million a year. To members opposite, that was a success; to us, it
was a burden. On top of that, when we came into government in 2008, members
opposite were committed to a 10 per cent a year increase for seven years in
electricity charges. We also had to increase them, but since then, year after
year since the 2013 election, we have moderated electricity prices. As a
result, we have, if not the lowest, the nearest to lowest electricity prices
for residents in the nation. A lot of that is subsidy, but it is the lowest
price. This year, we increased prices by 4.5 per cent, which was above
inflation, but not too far above. Water charges were increased by 4.5 per cent.
Fees for motor vehicles were increased by 2.6 per cent above the inflation rate
and driver's licence fees increased by 2.7 per cent. We put all the
states together as a representative household and estimated the charges across
them. If the member looks at this line, it shows Queensland, South Australia,
New South Wales, Victoria—this one at the end, which is the lowest, is
Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! Next time, Treasurer, please remind me and I will bring
my binoculars in. Thank you.
Mr
W.J. Johnston : Table it!
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : I will table it.
[See paper 2928.]
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : Members opposite say this is a huge impost on Western
Australian households and that it is a huge burden. In addition, we are
protecting those who cannot afford it. We have the largest raft of concessions
for seniors in the nation; we have more than any other state by a substantial
margin. We have made some changes to concessions in terms of equity. The cost of
living rebate remains the same and is un-means tested. We are renaming the cost
of living allowance as ''energy assistance,'' which is being
means tested.
Several members interjected.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : Read the budget, member. I know it is difficult for the member,
but he cannot get everything on YouTube—not everything comes on
YouTube!
We also have the most generous
support for rebates on local government rates and water rates. We have capped
those for pensioners. All other states have capped rebates, and we remain the
most generous. We also support our seniors like no other state. WA has 46 concessions
for people with a Seniors Card. There are 11 in Queensland, but people have to
be over 65. In WA, people have to be over 60. Victoria has three, New South Wales
has six, South Australia has four, Tasmania has nine, and there are two in the
ACT. Not only have we kept our rates, fees and charges the lowest of all the
mainland states, we also have the most generous concessions for seniors and we
have targeted those who need them the most.
question. Throughout our period in government, we have faced many challenges.
When we first came to power, the most pressing one was dealing with the other
side's botched electricity reforms. It took a system that was earning a
profit for the state to one that up until last year was being subsidised to the
tune of $450 million a year. To members opposite, that was a success; to us, it
was a burden. On top of that, when we came into government in 2008, members
opposite were committed to a 10 per cent a year increase for seven years in
electricity charges. We also had to increase them, but since then, year after
year since the 2013 election, we have moderated electricity prices. As a
result, we have, if not the lowest, the nearest to lowest electricity prices
for residents in the nation. A lot of that is subsidy, but it is the lowest
price. This year, we increased prices by 4.5 per cent, which was above
inflation, but not too far above. Water charges were increased by 4.5 per cent.
Fees for motor vehicles were increased by 2.6 per cent above the inflation rate
and driver's licence fees increased by 2.7 per cent. We put all the
states together as a representative household and estimated the charges across
them. If the member looks at this line, it shows Queensland, South Australia,
New South Wales, Victoria—this one at the end, which is the lowest, is
Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! Next time, Treasurer, please remind me and I will bring
my binoculars in. Thank you.
Mr
W.J. Johnston : Table it!
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : I will table it.
[See paper 2928.]
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : Members opposite say this is a huge impost on Western
Australian households and that it is a huge burden. In addition, we are
protecting those who cannot afford it. We have the largest raft of concessions
for seniors in the nation; we have more than any other state by a substantial
margin. We have made some changes to concessions in terms of equity. The cost of
living rebate remains the same and is un-means tested. We are renaming the cost
of living allowance as ''energy assistance,'' which is being
means tested.
Several members interjected.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : Read the budget, member. I know it is difficult for the member,
but he cannot get everything on YouTube—not everything comes on
YouTube!
We also have the most generous
support for rebates on local government rates and water rates. We have capped
those for pensioners. All other states have capped rebates, and we remain the
most generous. We also support our seniors like no other state. WA has 46 concessions
for people with a Seniors Card. There are 11 in Queensland, but people have to
be over 65. In WA, people have to be over 60. Victoria has three, New South Wales
has six, South Australia has four, Tasmania has nine, and there are two in the
ACT. Not only have we kept our rates, fees and charges the lowest of all the
mainland states, we also have the most generous concessions for seniors and we
have targeted those who need them the most.
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