Page 3976 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 29 November 2022
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The recent pattern from our colleagues across the chamber is to show high dudgeon about poverty and affordability but then oppose measures that would help, and to offer absolutely no poverty-relieving policies of their own. One of the best ways that we can assist people in poverty is through raising the rate of JobSeeker. There is an ongoing campaign on this. We have talked about this many times in this Assembly already, but we still cannot get tripartisan support for this critical and fundamental measure that would help people who are most in need.
The Chief Minister’s amendment lists a range of initiatives underway from this government that focus on addressing cost of living pressures. These include the extensive range of concessions provided by the government. It also lists important structural interventions we are making at the territory level, such as the policies to accelerate the delivery of more affordable rental dwellings through the Build-to-Rent scheme, the Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program, and other housing developments such as Common Ground. These are initiatives arising out of the parliamentary agreement and out of the Greens’ election commitments which focus very strongly on housing. I need to note, again, the distinct lack of support from the Liberal Party for projects like Common Ground or Build-to-Rent or public housing or renters’ rights.
I am certainly proud that the ACT Greens took a range of policies to the ACT election that focused on addressing the cost of living and poverty, and addressing these issues in a way that is equitable and sustainable. That is one of the guiding principles of our party: that we can address these problems in a way that is both equitable and sustainable. We do not need to trash the planet in order to help people. In fact, the actions that we take to protect the environment and to address climate change are often the ones that help deal with inequality issues and affordability issues.
We have a range of policies in place, for example, to increase the uptake of electric vehicles. They are currently very expensive, but our actions will lead to reduced prices and to a second-hand market, making them more affordable so that people can take advantage of the lower running costs. They are much cheaper than petrol vehicles.
Our switch to 100 per cent renewable electricity is helping to protect Canberrans from increasing electricity prices through the hedging work that is being done. The ACT continues to have some of the lowest energy prices in the country. Our policies to phase out gas, to promote energy efficiency and to upgrade and retrofit housing are essential for reducing people’s cost of living, cutting their energy bills and minimising their household energy costs.
I again need to point out the record of the Liberal Party on these measures. When I brought the bill to this Assembly to extend the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme, the Liberal Party voted against it. Through the first phase of that scheme Canberrans are expected to save a total of $240 million, including $15 million saved off the energy bills of low income households in particular. Why would you not support that legislative reform?
I do, lastly, want to note that Ms Lee brought a motion to the Assembly in the October sittings that also cited the ACTCOSS report and was very similar to this one. That motion did not propose any solutions. It is therefore surprising to see this motion
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