July 3, 2014
The decision not to pass on Federal Government Budget cuts will cost the State Government $25 million in energy rebates, but will be relief for pensioners facing another round of power price hikes this week.
Energy Minister Mark McArdle said the State Government would be allocating $164.6 million in 2014-15 for energy rebates and concessions, over $25 million more than last year.
This will make up for the shortfall in Federal Government funding announced in the May Budget, which the State Government originally intended not to replace.
Communities Minister Tracy Davis said pensioners and older Queenslanders had made it clear they couldn’t wear the cost of filling the gap between Queensland’s increased contribution, and the Commonwealth’s cuts.
Queensland pensioners and seniors will now be able to apply for an electricity rebate of $320.97 a year.
This is up $38.43 – or 16.3 per cent – the same percentage as the electricity rise recommended by the Queensland Competition Authority for a typical residential customer.
The reticulated natural gas rebate will rise by $2.03 to $67.61.
Ms Davis said the State Government had boosted concessions for Queenslanders living with serious medical conditions.
The Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme will increase by $38.43 to $320.97, while the Electricity Life Support Concession Scheme will rise as high as $653.70 per year for oxygen concentrators and $437.77 per year for kidney dialysis.
Up to $720 a year in emergency payments will continue to be available for low-income households under the $10 million Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme.
The State Government will also maintain the $120 annual subsidy under the South East Queensland Pensioner Water Subsidy Scheme.
Further information is available online
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