Media release – David O’Byrne MP, Member for Franklin, 24 May 2022
No election? No Winter Energy Supplement
The State Government’s cruel habit of only offering energy bill supplements on election years will leave many Tasmanian households in the cold this winter, says Member for Franklin David O’Byrne MP.
“Today in Parliament I called on the Premier to introduce a winter energy supplement, in recognition of the severe cost of living pressures on Tasmanian households right now. But the only thing the Premier committed to was not charging Aurora customers for an app they can’t use,” said Mr O’Byrne.
“As we head into winter, Tasmanian families are worried that they’ll have to choose between turning the heater on or putting food on the table.”
In 2021, right before the state election, the government announced a winter energy supplement to address cost of living pressures. A similar energy bonus was paid right before the 2018 election, which was inexplicably paid in the middle of summer.
“The fact that this Government refused to introduced energy bill assistance in 2019 and 2020 – both non-election years – tells you everything you need to know about this Government’s commitment to addressing cost of living pressures,” said Mr O’Byrne.
“I’m calling on the Premier to act with compassion and introduce a winter energy supplement this year in recognition of these severe cost of living pressures.
“The Premier’s comments today that Aurora customers won’t pay for the Aurora+ app provides little comfort to the many Tasmanian families who are facing a long, cold winter because they can’t afford to heat their homes.”
