Page 2296 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 22 June 2011
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Mrs Dunne: I will keep that ruling in mind, Mr Assistant Speaker.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Fine with me. Ms Burch.
MS BURCH: Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. While there have been increases since 2001, these should be put into some context. It is not quite correct to consider price increases for basic goods such as utilities without taking into account a range of government concessions for people in need and increases in services.
While some families in the ACT struggle to meet cost of living pressures, there is not a crisis, as suggested by those opposite. While the ACT has a community that is well educated and above-average wage earning per household, we also know that there are households in Canberra that are experiencing pressures and difficulties. The government is committed to a targeted approach of assisting those most in need, recognising that others may need support at certain times in their lives. A range of concessions and other measures are in place to assist those in need.
On utilities, this government has shown its commitment in this budget with measures which will significantly increase utility concessions for eligible concession holders. The opposition’s motion fails to recognise that the energy concession will be raised to 16 per cent of the average annual household electricity bill, an increase of approximately 24 per cent, or $51, from July 2011. This represents 20.8 per cent of the average electricity bill for 2011-12, which is expected to be an average of $1,664. The combined benefit of the energy and utility concessions for households will reach $346 per year. It compares favourably with other jurisdictions, with Victoria providing $270 per annum and South Australia $235 a year.
The ACT Labor government’s concession increases show our commitment to supporting those on low incomes and vulnerable Canberrans with the cost of living. It is anticipated that 25,000 members of our community will be accessing the broad range of ACT government concessions. Yesterday the Chief Minister committed to a review of the concessions regime to ensure that it continues to support those most in need in our community.
As of 1 July 2011 a family with two parents and two school-age children with an average household income of $45,000 will be entitled to the following concessions totalling $13,096 or 29 per cent of gross household income. There will be an energy concession, a utilities concession, a motor vehicle registration concession of $400 for two registrations, a rental rebate of $8,750, public transport concessions of $400—estimates of four trips per week—and a student transport concession of $3,200.
A range of other concessions and supports through this government include the ACT seniors spectacle scheme, the ambulance transport levy exemption, dental services scheme, dog registration, drivers licence, energy support, homebuyer assistance schemes, the home haemodialysis rebate, low vision aids, sewerage support, special needs transport support, student transport scheme, as I have mentioned, and the taxi subsidy scheme. They are just a few of the supports that this government has in place.
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