Poppy Pastrikos welcomes power subsidies amid NT cost-of-living crisis

A Top End mum has welcomed news of subsidies on household power bills. Read how the NT budget could save you money.

Subsidised power bills announced in Tuesday’s NT budget will make a world of difference for one mother as she watches her kids grow up and thrive in the Territory.

The NT government’s main cost of living relief in the 2023-24 budget includes $71.7m in extra subsidies aimed at keeping household power bills below inflation.

It is expected to save households between $184 and $350 on their quarterly electricity bills.

Water and sewerage bills are also expected to be about $170 cheaper.

Poppy Pastrikos, pictured with husband Spiros and sons Michael and Mario, has welcomed the 2023-24 NT budget. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The commonwealth also helped out in their budget with up to 55,000 Territorians in line for support of up to $350 a year with their power bills.

All of which is good news for Poppy Pastrikos who said cheaper electricity costs – as well as water and sewerage – would help pay for rent or groceries.

It also means there’s more money in the household budget for her kids to enjoy sport in the Territory.

“If our bills decrease then we have more money to spend towards groceries, on sports and other activities for our kids who love being active and even be able to save for a family holiday, new home or investment property,” she said.

“My son, he loves sports, he’s very active, and it’s great that we get the $100 voucher twice a year, but if he wants to do more than one sport, it’s a bit hard because those costs are not cheap.”

Affording her sons’, Michael (5) and Mario (3), love of sports will get easier under the NT budget mum Poppy Pastrikos said. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Pastrikos said the Territory’s cost of living was getting “ridiculous”, forcing many to choose between full-time and part-time work.

“My biggest concern – especially as a young mum – is childcare,” she said.

“If I come to work full-time, my money is going to pay for full-time care and childcare.

“If I come back part-time, I’m losing out on full pay, so that’s a bit of a touchy subject at the moment – childcare fees.”

But Ms Pastrikos said the tough decisions heaped on Territorians didn’t end at childcare.

“There are things that you have to turn down or can’t do because of your expenses at home and trying to make things affordable,” she said.

She said planning for a holiday was often out of the question.

“You don’t want to go on a holiday because you’re worried about what your circumstances are going to be when you come back home,” Ms Pastrikos said.