Government power play helps households

Bunbury households are set for some much-needed financial relief, with every single West Australian home to receive a $600 credit towards its power bills. The support package was announced on Sunday as part of the State Government’s WA Recovery Plan, established in the wake of the global COVID pandemic. Accordwest executive manager of programs Simone Bush said the credit would go a long way to helping families, particularly those doing it tough. “Obviously with people having spent an extended period of time at home, we have seen those costs increase,” she said. “Paying those utilities allows people to free up some money for other areas.” Ms Bush said a big proportion of Accordwest’s clients opted for help with utility bills more often than other bills or payments. “The emergency relief we have been having to provide has been around the utility space, so clients can come to us, look at the bills they’ve got currently and pay some of those for them,” she said. “The majority of people will select utility payments because having those bills creates a lot more stress and then they can alleviate some money to go and do a food shop or whatever they need to do. The credit is expected to pay the average household’s energy bills for up to four months, with Synergy and Horizon Power customers eligible for the one-off payment. State Treasurer Ben Wyatt said the funding would also support the economy more generally. “The $600 credit is expected to provide a significant boost to the economy and will support jobs, providing further impetus to the recovery already under way in Western Australia,” he said. “Using these funds to benefit all Western Australians, particularly at a time when we are dealing with the impacts of COVID-19, is most appropriate. “This is the first time household fees and charges have decreased in 15 years.” The credit for households will also free up funding for not-for-profit organisations like Accordwest to redistribute money and help people in need in other ways. “It will definitely allow us to direct those funds to other areas,” Ms Bush said. “In terms of emergency relief since COVID, we also received some additional funding from the Department of Social Services to help emergency relief providers.” Money for the credit came from the $665 million Bell Group settlement which has recovered the losses made when the group collapsed nearly three decades ago, with $644 million being returned to taxpayers. “It’s only right that the Bell Group settlements funds go straight back to Western Australians,” Premier Mark McGowan said. Small business and charities using more than 50 megawatt hours per annum will also be given a similar, one-off credit of $2500 towards utility payments.