Budget 2023: Tasmanians get energy relief during winter after government announces new funding

Struggling Tasmanian households and small businesses will have a some relief this winter after the state government announced an energy relief package. SEE HOW MUCH YOU’LL SAVE >>

Tasmanian battlers will get $250 off their power bill this winter after the state government announced a $45m energy relief to households and small businesses on Wednesday.

Eligible households will be able to receive $500 over two years to ease cost of living pressures while small businesses will receive a bill credit of $650 for the next financial year.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson said the state government had matched the federal government support package of $45m which announced in the Budget.

The support package will total $90m to go towards Tasmanian families and small businesses from July 1.

Michael Ferguson MP at parliament. Picture: Chris Kidd

“People who have existing concessions won’t need to do a thing, it will be automatically applied to your bill as a credit,” he said.

“People who are clients and services in Australia in receipt of Family Tax Benefit, there will be a low dock that is an easy to use process to get your credit … and $650 for small businesses that consume less than 150 megawatts per year.”

Energy Minister Guy Barnett said about 35,000 small businesses and up to 140,000 households will benefit from the new energy relief package.

“This is bigger than the $180 winter bill buster payment last year, quite obviously $250 from July 1 this year and $250 from July 1 next year,” he said.

“We’ll monitor it carefully and we’ll make sure that Tasmanians who are vulnerable or in need are supported.”