The LNP’s plan to help renters get access to solar panels will effectively involve “giving thousands of dollars to landlord” Premier Steven Miles has said.
It can be revealed the solar for rentals trial tran from March 2019 to June 2020, offering rebates of up to $3500 to landlords to install solar panels at their rental property.
Under the trial the landlord and tenant had to agree to enter into a new lease of at least 12 months, install the system and receive the rebate, with tenants agreeing to pay a “fair rent increase” which was not more than they would save from having solar in place.
Ultimately 670 systems were installed across Bundaberg, Gladstone and Townsville—costing $2.25m in rebates.
Tenants who participated were $600 a year better off, with this saving accounting for a rent increase of $11 per week.
The trial showed the benefits were in installing a solar system and in the ensuing rent increase of between $10 and $20 per week.
Mr Miles said the government’s assessment of the program was that it worked out to be more beneficial to directly provide people with support on their power bills.
Premier Steven Miles and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli in cost of living showdown
Steven Miles and David Crisafulli have faced off in an intense debate over the cost of living, in what is shaping up as a key issue for voters across Queensland. WATCH THE REPLAY
Days out from two by-elections and with a critical state budget just months away, the first cost-of-living showdown between Queensland’s political leaders could not come at a more crucial time.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles and Oppositon Leader David Crisafulli faced off on the cost of living, in what is shaping up to be a key issue for voters in the state.
WATCH THE REPLAY ABOVE, AND TAKE A LOOK HOW EVERYTHING WENT DOWN IN THE BLOG BELOW
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'Thousands of dollars for landlord': Premier pans LNP solar plan
Crisafulli promises continuation of rebate schemes
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has reaffirmed LNP will not ditch Labor's cost of living rebates if it forms government after the October election, including initiatives yet to be announced.
He promised Queenslanders that if the Miles government is removed from office, measures such as the $550 electricity bill rebate as well as the freezing of car registration costs "must continue".
"But the difference between what I'm offering and what the Premier is offering is I'm offering real change and a big picture vision to do something about the underlying costs that's dragging people down," Mr Crisafulli said.
"The reason why a subsidy on electricity is there and the reason why it must remain there is because Queensland's had a bigger rise in power prices than anywhere else – three times the national average.
"I want to give Queenslanders confidence that those programs are there.
"But they also need confidence that there's a plan for the future."
'Smart policy': Conservation group backs LNP solar plan
The Queensland Conservation Council has backed the LNP's plan to help renters get access to solar panels.
"This is a smart policy initiative that will provide vital cost of living relief for renting Queenslanders while generating clean energy and slashing emissions,” the council's campaigner, Stephanie Gray, said.
“This program will build on the successful but small Solar for Renters trial that the Queensland Government ran in 2019.
"We’ve been calling for some time for the program to be expanded to cover the whole state because tenants saved an average of $600 per year.
“Queenslanders are world leaders in the uptake of solar but the third of Queenslanders who rent or live in social housing too often miss out on the benefits of cheap and clean energy.”
Crisafulli provides more detail on solar for renters scheme
David Crisafulli said the solar for renters scheme will provide tenants with the cost benefits which he said would help thousands of Queenslanders.
He said the trial of the scheme used by the government could provide "real savings in the hundreds of dollars" to renters.
The $3500 dollar plan would require an agreement between the tenant and property owner, with the solar panel staying on the home at the end of the lease.
"That means that both parties agree and there has to be a benefit to the renter and that is done when the agreement is signed," the Opposition Leader said.
"It's good for the investor but it's even better for the renter because it makes sure that it directly flows into their pocket."
The Opposition said only homes with an existing tenancy agreement would be eligible for the grants.
'Tears at your heartstrings': Premier's reaction to cost of living cases
Steven Miles said he was moved by the heartbreaking stories of the audience who are facing the cost of living crunch.
The live audience featured a student who's being squeezed by severe rent increases, a man on the brink of sleeping in his car and a woman fleeing domestic violence.
"I've spent a lot of time talking to these services, to homeless people and people who are struggling, so I wouldn't say I was shocked," the Premier said.
"But every time you hear those stories, it tears at your heartstrings and to be reminded of why I do this job."
Premier promises 'biggest cost of living' Budget in history
Steven Miles has declared the June state Budget will include the “biggest cost of living” relief packages to address the crunch on household hip pockets.
The Premier said support for families and households was the most critical issue facing Queenslanders.
“We already allocated a billion dollars to concessions, but it will be even more than that because we understand that right now, that's the most important thing for Queenslanders,” Mr Miles said in his closing statement.
He said support will go beyond emergency relief, however, and include supporting Queenslanders to afford a deposit for a home.
“Please know that I've heard that message and that will be an absolute focus for me,” the Premier said.
'We are listening': David Crisafulli's message for struggling Queenslanders
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says addressing cost-of-living was a priority for him and his party, reaffirming his new pledge to bring back a program to help renters get solar on the roof.
“I want Queenslanders to know today that I am serious about dealing with the longer term structural issues, those big picture solutions for those big problems that are weighing people down and there is a better way,” he said.
“At the moment Queenslanders are making choices that they never thought that they would have to make– do I buy food or do I put petrol in the car to pay the power bill or do I get school uniforms.
“They are not choices that Queenslanders should have to make. There is another choice, and that's the choice that Queenslanders will have at the end of the year.
“I want Queenslanders to know that we are listening, we are putting forward solutions, and we are determined to make sure cost of living relief is front and centre with what we do.”
Opposition reveals domestic violence support payment
The Opposition will consider grant payments for women and families fleeing domestic violence of up to $5000.
David Crisafulli said the payments were aimed at supporting women to update their CV and be given cash to buy new clothes for the workforce.
“There is no doubt that we need more support services for domestic and family violence, and we need to find everything we can to give a woman and child the ability to get out of those situations,” the Opposition Leader said.
Taking a punt: What our leaders will do on gambling harm
The next question is from Relationships Australia Queensland chief executive Natasha Rae, who asks the leaders about their plans for gambling harm minimisation.
Mr Crisafulli said he wants to speak to the experts, like Relationships Australia, about what can be done.
He acknowledged problem gamblers were the “lion’s share” of the losses and those that simply went to the pub for a punt every once in a while weren’t the issue.
Mr Crisafulli said he hoped to strike the right balance between reducing the harms of gambling and ensuring everyday Queenslanders had the ability to have a punt if they wanted.
Premier Steven Miles acknowledged the causes of problem gambling were complex and addressing the issue was also complex in turn.
He spruiked the state government’s mental health levy—brought in after a concerted Courier-Mail campaign—that allows them to fund more mental health and support services.
Support for renters queried
Steven Miles has blamed the soaring price of rent on a lack of supply in response to a young student being crunched by aggressive price increases.
The Premier said the government’s current policy, which is already being reviewed for failing to adequately support renters, was aimed at providing assurance to tenants and limiting increases to a single annual lift.
“The key is supply and supply at every level of the market – so supply of housing to buy, supply of housing to rent, supply of social housing and supply of public housing,” Mr Miles said.
“What we're working on for the shorter term is those kinds of initiatives that at least lock in your rent for 12 months.”
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