Chris Minns announces $250 energy rebate for 1.6m households

About 1.6 million NSW households will have $250 slashed off their electricity bills under a $485 million Labor plan. About 320,000 small businesses will receive $315.

Families will have $250 slashed off their electricity bills — and small business will save $315 — under a $485 million Labor plan.

The rebate will apply to households receiving income support, pensioners and Seniors Health Card holders, and Family Tax Benefit recipients – and take effect in four instalments over a year.

When matched with $250 from the federal government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund, Labor estimates about 1.6 million NSW households will receive $500 off their electricity bills.

The Labor election pledge is more targeted than the Coalition’s “energy bill saver”, which is also offering households $250 off their bills.

The Coalition rebate will apply to anyone who signs up to a Service NSW website to compare their current energy deal — even if they don’t end up switching to a new plan.

Labor candidate for Balmain Philippa Scott and Chris Minns serve gelato at Leichhardt institution Bar Italia. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The bill relief being offered by both parties is in response to an agreement made between federal and state governments at national cabinet.

The federal government’s bill relief measure will also kick in should the Coalition win government.

Labor argues its plan will deliver bill relief to those who need it most.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns said cost of living was the biggest concern for small businesses and households.

He said Labor’s plans struck the right balance between “short-term, targeted relief” and “long-term form to fix the energy crisis”.

“I know small businesses are doing it really tough right now,” Mr Minns said.

“The cost of everything is going up, electricity prices are going through the roof. These small businesses are doing everything they can to stay afloat.

“Labor’s plan will automatically reduce bills. It won’t require messing around online and it won’t ignore the small businesses who are a powerhouse of our state and are doing it really tough.”

Stephanie Daoud — pictured with her children Matthew (l to r), Catherine, Thomas and Claire — thinks energy rebates should be available to all. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Labor calculates its relief package will also ease the cost of rising electricity bills for 320,000 eligible small businesses, with a $315 deduction.

When matched by funding from the federal government’s rebate scheme, it calculates 320,000 NSW small businesses will receive $630 off their electricity bill.

To be eligible for the rebate, small businesses must use a maximum of 100 MWh of electricity per year.

State opposition finance spokesman Daniel Mookhey blamed Premier Dominic Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean’s “obsessions with privatisation” for leaving households and taxpayers with “few good options” in an energy crisis “let alone a cost of living crisis as well”.

“Taxpayers of all kinds around NSW are doing it tough to keep energy company super profits at record highs,” he said

“The choice couldn’t be clearer: more privatised assets lost to taxpayers like Sydney Water and Essential Energy, or real cost of living relief combined with genuine reform to energy security.”

Canterbury mum of five Stephanie Daoud said she would welcome any rebate but believes they need to be eligible for all.

“It’s something everyone has been struggling with. We have definitely noticed an increase in our power bill, especially with five kids.

“(Rebates) need to be for everyone, often they don’t apply to the working class. We are all feeling the pain.”

GREENS LIST THEIR DEMANDS FOR LABOR

The NSW Greens have released their seven demands that must be met if they are to offer support to the winner of the state election.

Minor parties and crossbenchers will hold the balance of power if the Coalition or Labor fail to win a majority.

The Greens hold three seats in the Legislative Assembly — Balmain, Newtown and Ballina — and hope to increase their representation to seven.

NSW Greens Member of the Legislative Council Cate Faehrmann. Picture: AAP

Speaking at the party’s official launch on Saturday, Greens upper house member Cate Faehrmann said for Labor to win support from the Greens, Chris Minns must ensure no new coal or gas projects are created, ban unfair evictions and control rents.

They are also demanding a community-led Truth and Treaty process, repeal the anti-protest laws, scrap the public sector wage cap, end logging in public native forests and introduce a mandatory cashless gambling card.

Ms Faehrmann was especially critical of Labor’s poker machine policy.

“Just to be clear, we won‘t settle for half-measures, and we won’t be fooled by a trial that has been set up to fail,” she said.

Ms Faehrmann also cautioned that Greens support for Labor wouldn’t be automatic. As it stands, both the NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Opposition Leader Chris Minns have said they will not do any deals with the NSW Greens in exchange for support prior to the election.

“That doesn‘t mean that Labor can take us for granted either,” she said.

“All indications are that this is going to be a very tight result and there’s a strong chance that Labor will need our support. Labor has a lot of work to do to convince us that they’re worth supporting.”

Australia Greens leader Adam Bandt said it was “time to clean up NSW”.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]