Community Independent candidate for Dickson Ellie Smith has today called for the federal $300 energy bill rebate to be extended for three years to help families and small businesses struggling with high electricity costs.
Ms Smith said the three year extension to the Federal Government rebate would give homes and businesses in Queensland struggling with cost of living pressures the extra relief they desperately needed.
This comes as the Australian Energy Regulator estimates average electricity price increases of around 5% for residential customers in Queensland from July 1.
“Homes and businesses need this extra financial help now,” Ms Smith said.
“Families and small businesses in Dickson are struggling with the cost of groceries, rent, insurance and interest rates.
“And rising electricity costs are adding to this pressure.
“As the State Government’s energy bills rebate starts to roll off, families in Queensland need this long term commitment to cost of living relief now,” she said.
Mr Smith said she would work with Government, Opposition and Cross Bench MPs on ways to implement the energy bill rebate measures in the next term of parliament.
“This needs to be settled as a priority before any potential price increase on July 1 and before the winter bill period begins.”
On Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy gamble Ellie Smith said:
“Nuclear energy is not an issue that is raised with me when I’m talking to people in the community. It’s not their priority - they want cheaper energy bills.
“So I don’t think now is the time to take a $300 billion bet with household energy bills.
“The experience in other countries tells us that it would take at least 20 years to build nuclear energy plants in Australia.
“I want energy bill relief now for families and small businesses.
“My focus is on immediate, practical solutions that provide energy bill relief now - not in decades.”
For more information about Ellie and her detailed list of policy priorities go to elliesmith.com.au
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