State Government Concessions

Ms COOK (Fisher) (15:11): My question is to the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion. Minister, how is the government supporting pensioners and low-income earners with the cost of utilities?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:11): Can I thank the member for that question. Our government understands how important it is to support pensioners and low-income earners who need assistance when managing the household budget. While our government is proud that we have consistently been recognised as an affordable place to live and raise a family, we understand that some South Australians are doing it tough. That is why our government committed at the last state election to introduce a range of measures aimed at supporting South Australian families, particularly those on low or fixed incomes, with the cost of utilities. I am pleased to report on the progress of implementing these election commitments for South Australians.

Our government committed to increasing the energy concession by $50 to a maximum of $215 each year, and from 1 July 2015 more than 205,000 South Australians are benefiting from this increase to support them with the cost of energy bills. This builds on our proud record of delivering concessions, and this latest increase will mean we have more than tripled the energy concession since coming to office, from $70 in 2002 to $215 in 2014, investing around $10 million each year to support Australian families.

We are also committed to rolling out our Utilities Literacy Program by investing $780,000 each year to help households manage their utility usage and debt, because we know that many families may not understand their utility usage, how their utilities are calculated, or where to seek assistance to manage their bills. I am pleased that, through our government's investment, more than 130 financial counsellors and support workers have been trained to deliver utilities literacy support to clients across South Australia and more than 4,300 people have accessed either community education or intensive case management support and assistance for families struggling with utilities-related financial issues last year.

We are also committed to expand the Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme by investing more than $577,000 each year, which provides extra payments on top of concessions to people facing utility debt. The program is a voluntary, free and confidential service to people who are experiencing personal financial difficulties due to unemployment, sickness, credit overcommitments and family breakdown.

This financial year, more than 550 applicants have been approved for the EEPS payment. One of those applicants was a mother of three children who had recently separated from her partner due to domestic violence. Due to the extreme nature of the violence, the individual had been put in an out of hospital, and her debts were mounting. The approved EEPS payment assisted in eliminating almost the entire electricity debt and enabled the energy company to set up a manageable payment plan.

This is just one of the many examples of people who have been assisted by our government investment in assisting South Australian families. I am proud of our government's commitment to supporting those most vulnerable in our community.