❓ Hon Sue Ellery questions the lack of future funding for the Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) in the Child Protection budget, given rising electricity costs. Hon Robyn McSweeney responds, highlighting increased overall child protection funding and suggesting a mid-year review if problems persist, also noting HUGS funding under another portfolio.
AnsweredQoN 282Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET 2010–11 — HARDSHIP UTILITY GRANT SCHEME
I refer to the ongoing financial pressure on families due to increases in electricity bills, including a further 22 per cent increase due in 2011–12. (1) Why is there no allocation in the Child Protection budget for the hardship utility grant scheme beyond 2010–11? (2) How does the government propose Western Australian families will make ends meet without further financial assistance? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
I refer to the ongoing financial pressure on families due to increases in electricity bills, including a further 22 per cent increase due in 2011–12. (1) Why is there no allocation in the Child Protection budget for the hardship utility grant scheme beyond 2010–11? (2) How does the government propose Western Australian families will make ends meet without further financial assistance? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. There was an extra $43.5 million in the child protection budget—11 per cent more than last year. The budget for HUGS in the child protection budget was, I believe — Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
(1) Why is there no allocation in the Child Protection budget for the hardship utility grant scheme beyond 2010–11? (2) How does the government propose Western Australian families will make ends meet without further financial assistance? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. There was an extra $43.5 million in the child protection budget—11 per cent more than last year. The budget for HUGS in the child protection budget was, I believe — Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
(2) How does the government propose Western Australian families will make ends meet without further financial assistance? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. There was an extra $43.5 million in the child protection budget—11 per cent more than last year. The budget for HUGS in the child protection budget was, I believe — Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. There was an extra $43.5 million in the child protection budget—11 per cent more than last year. The budget for HUGS in the child protection budget was, I believe — Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
(1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. There was an extra $43.5 million in the child protection budget—11 per cent more than last year. The budget for HUGS in the child protection budget was, I believe — Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
(1) Why is there no allocation in the Child Protection budget for the hardship utility grant scheme beyond 2010–11? (2) How does the government propose Western Australian families will make ends meet without further financial assistance? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. There was an extra $43.5 million in the child protection budget—11 per cent more than last year. The budget for HUGS in the child protection budget was, I believe — Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
(2) How does the government propose Western Australian families will make ends meet without further financial assistance? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. There was an extra $43.5 million in the child protection budget—11 per cent more than last year. The budget for HUGS in the child protection budget was, I believe — Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. There was an extra $43.5 million in the child protection budget—11 per cent more than last year. The budget for HUGS in the child protection budget was, I believe — Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
(1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. There was an extra $43.5 million in the child protection budget—11 per cent more than last year. The budget for HUGS in the child protection budget was, I believe — Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon Sue Ellery : It is $5.9 million in 2010–11. But there is nothing in the forward estimates. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I am sure that if there are ongoing problems, which it looks as though there will be, we will go back to the midyear review. Also, $28 million — Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon Peter Collier : $31.4 million. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : The amount of $31.4 million has been allocated to the hardship utility grant scheme under Peter Collier’s portfolio, and that $5.9 million is what child protection has been allocated. The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
The PRESIDENT : I think the member meant Hon Peter Collier or the Minister for Energy; I am not sure.
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