State Government Concessions

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland) (15:01): My question is to the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion. How is the government supporting pensioners and low-income earners with cost-of-living pressures?

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) (15:01): I thank the member for the question. This government has always understood the importance of supporting pensioners and low-income earners who can sometimes struggle with managing the cost-of-living pressures. Recognising these cost pressures, the state Labor government committed at the last election to introduce a range of measures aimed at supporting South Australian families, especially those on a low or fixed income, with the cost of utilities.

This government committed to increasing the energy concession, which includes medical, heating and cooling concession, by $50 to a maximum of $215 each year. As of 1 July 2014, more than 205,000 South Australians have been benefiting from this increase to support them with the cost of energy bills. This government has a proven track record of delivering concessions to those in our community who need it most, especially those on pensions or low incomes. To this end, 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 South Australian families.

We are also committed to rolling out our Utilities Literacy program, investing $780,000 each year to assist households manage their utility usage and debt. We recognise that there are families out there who do not fully appreciate their utility usage, how their bills are calculated or where to seek assistance in order to manage payments more effectively. We are also committed to expanding 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 government provides a raft of other concessions to ease the cost-of-living pressures for pensioners and low-income families, such as water for home owner-occupiers, with a minimum of $185 to a maximum of $295 per year off their bill. Water concessions for tenants are also provided between $120 to $230 per year. In addition to the concessions on water, this government provides a concession on the cost of sewerage for home owner-occupiers of $110 per year.

We provide seniors, pensioners and students with significant public transport concessions which vary from 50 per cent of the normal fee to completely free travel during certain periods. This state Labor government is committed to easing the burden of the daily cost of living for our most vulnerable members of society, and we are very proud of this record.