As cost-of-living pressure continue to rise, the Western Australian Government has introduced electricity credits to reduce power bills.
Images: Office of Reece Whitby
With high wages, low unemployment and plenty of jobs to go around, the State Government is proud of Western Australia’s economy.
Still, as Energy Minister, I understand many families still face real challenges.
While more people than ever are moving to Western Australia to work and take advantage of our state’s sunshine, warmth and beaches, many households are focused on cost-of-living pressures, including how to pay the bills.
Our government has been able to deliver meaningful cost-of-living relief in recent years, including $2100 in electricity bill credits distributed to every Western Australian household since 2020. Our latest household electricity credit will be rolled out alongside the Federal Government’s own electricity bill relief, which means every household in our state will this year receive $700 towards their electricity bills.
This is our government’s most substantial credits yet and will also provide 90,000 small businesses with some much-needed financial relief.
These payments are also supported by our annual (currently) $334.49 energy assistance payment, which benefits pensioners, veterans and families on eligible concessions who may need that little bit more assistance in paying their bills.
This is critically important for families who are impacted by interest rate rises and struggle to put food on the table.
By offering families direct electricity bill relief, they will now have some breathing room to enjoy the new year.
Of course, while energy credits have been enormously helpful to hundreds of thousands of Western Australians, they are not the only way we are ensuring energy is affordable.
Western Australia’s utilities are not privatised, which means that providers like Synergy, Horizon Power and Western Power are owned by the people of Western Australia.
This gives our government the ability to monitor and regulate energy prices and deliver a wide range of programs designed to help those in our state who might benefit from flexibility or targeted support.
Residents across Western Australia can benefit from several Synergy and Horizon Power initiatives, including dedicated case management, which provides flexible payment terms for those struggling to pay their bills and ensures disconnection always remains a last resort.
Some Western Australians experiencing vulnerability can also access novel programs like Energy Ahead, which became available earlier this year and helps those who are either going through or are at risk of financial hardship to better understand their electricity usage and reduce financial pressures.
More than 1000 people have already benefitted from this $13 million program, which provides eligible households with personalised one-on-one coaching, tips for saving on energy bills, and regular visits with program support workers.
It’s an important program for places like the West Kimberley, where household incomes are nearly half the state’s average.
Our oversight means this program can be delivered to remote communities in a way that is culturally sensitive with support from Broome-based Nirrumbuk Environmental Health and Services.
Programs like these are important because we know there are many challenges facing the people in our state.
While many Western Australian families are struggling with the cost of living, we are responding.
Not only is our government investing in the energy transition and supporting jobs of the future, we are also committed to providing all households with electricity that is affordable, secure, and reliable.
