Sydney locals weigh in on Anthony Albanese’s $300 energy bill rebate

Everyone knows it can be tough to get Sydney people to agree on something – but there is one issue currently uniting all of them.

The government has announced in the federal budget that every household will receive a $300 kickback and, so far, Aussies aren’t impressed.

The $300 will be able to be claimed by all Aussie households as an energy bill rebate, with the move part of the government’s plan to help ease the burden of the cost of living crisis.

It also isn’t means tested, so millionaires and billionaires will also be getting that cash back as well.

Australians aren’t just feeling the pinch, they are feeling punched by the cost of living crisis. But is $300 actually going to help?

Hitting the streets of Sydney, it became clear that no one was feeling particularly relieved by the announcement included in Tuesday’s budget.

Yes, Sydney has finally found something to agree on.

One Aussie pointed out that “not everyone” needs the $300 and, therefore, they weren’t a fan of the handout.

“They need to be more targeted with it, and I also think they are spending too much money on this budget. It is too irresponsible,” he said.

Aussies have revealed how they really feel about the $300 energy rebate. Picture: news.com.au

Sydney locals found something can agree on. Picture: news.com.au

Another was more optimistic and declared it would “pay for my electricity bill for this quarter” and found that bonus “nice”, but she made no claims that it would make any major change to her life.

One man said that it just wasn’t “meaningful change” and questioned whether there was something else the money could be used for that would lead to more long-term change.

A woman said she felt the amount would be “irrelevant” for most Aussies that are currently struggling.

One man claimed that the kickback “could have been more” and an 18-year-old woman said that, ultimately, $300 was just short-term relief.

“People are still going to go back living pay cheque to pay cheque,” she said.

So why does $300 not feel like enough?

The cost of living crisis has impacted pretty much everyone. If you rent, the amount you pay has likely soared because of the national low vacancy rates, which was sitting at 1.1 per cent in April.

The current cash rate is 4.35 per cent, which means that if you have a mortgage, you’re likely paying more or you’re about to fall off the mortgage cliff and see your repayments soar.

If you buy groceries – which is everyone – they’ll be more expensive because the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is currently sitting at 3.6 per cent.

She said the $300 rebate would be ‘nice’. Picture: news.com.au

He said the government should be more ‘targeted’ in their budget approach. Picture: news.com.au

It isn’t Sydney locals who are unimpressed either.

Today’s Karl Stefanovic wasn’t too thrilled that $300 was going to be awarded to all households and not just the ones that need it.

In a heated segment with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday morning, Stefanovic questioned how everyone could be deserving of the rebate.

“How do you explain how Jenny from the block in Yorkeys Knob gets the same power rebate as Gina from Noosa?’ he asked.

“Well, I’m not aware of who Jenny and Gina are,’’ Mr Albanese replied.

“But I’m sure they’re fine Australians. And you know what? They deserve support. I’m sure they are taxpayers.”

The Prime Minister said the $300 rebate for all households and tax cuts for every person was the “most effective way to deliver support across the board”.

Originally published as Sydney locals weigh in on Anthony Albanese’s $300 energy bill rebate