QLD Budget a Massive Opportunity to Ease Cost of Living with Support for More Households to Access Benefits of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency: Power Together
6 June 2023: QLD Budget a Massive Opportunity to Ease Cost of Living with Support for More Households to Access Benefits of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency: Power Together
The interest rate rise to 4.1 per cent announced today by the Reserve Bank of Australia, combined with further energy bill hikes from July 1, makes it critical for the next Queensland Budget to provide more households access to the benefits of renewable energy and ease pressure on household budgets, according to the Power Together coalition.
The recent Federal budget committed $300 million for the support of energy upgrades and efficiency in social housing, with a challenge for state governments to match them Power
Together urges the Queensland Government to take up the challenge and commit in the state budget to installing rooftop solar on social housing and the roll out of Virtual Power Plants for 10,000 homes.
Power Together is also calling on the Queensland Government to provide financial support for:
- the rollout of solar on at least 10,000 private rental properties; and
- minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes.
Heidi Lee Douglas, National Director of Solar Citizens said, “Rooftop solar is one of the cheapest forms of new electricity available today and Queensland households lead the nation with nearly one million rooftop installations.
“No Queensland household should be left behind in the move to cheap, clean solar energy. We need tailored Queensland government assistance to ensure social housing tenants and households who are renters do not miss out energy bill relief from solar.
“Our households should be running on cheap, clean solar power instead of burning expensive, polluting fossil fuels.”
Dave Copeman, Director at Queensland Conservation Council said, “Queensland’s over-reliance on coal-fired power has helped fuel surging electricity prices. If the Queensland Government is genuine in wanting to deliver a cost of living focussed budget then it must go beyond energy bill rebates and invest more in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“This Budget is an opportunity for significant investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency that eases the cost of living pressure and reduces emissions while improving people’s living standards.
“The action we need to rapidly cut emissions this decade and tackle the climate crisis is the same action we need to improve affordability for life’s essentials.”
Aimee McVeigh, QCOSS CEO said, “Many Queenslanders on low incomes are already having to make tough choices between paying their energy bills, putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their head. The interest rate rise announced today will only increase pressure on household budgets and push more people into energy poverty.
“We need urgent government intervention so that Queenslanders on low incomes can share in the benefits of renewable energy.”
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Media contact: Jane Garcia (Essential) 0455 111 593
Power Together’s Powering our Future report is available here: https://powertogether.org.au/
