West Aussies left holding their breath as Treasurer Rita Saffioti leaves the door open on a 2026 power rebate

WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti has left the door open for a power rebate next year, as West Australians continue to feel the pain of cost-of-living hikes. New ABS figures released this week show rising rents and increased in school fees and meat cost are adding to big increases in living expenses, as Perth suffers the second-worst inflation in the country at 4.3 per cent, behind only Brisbane at 5.2 per cent. “We never rule anything out,” Ms Saffioti said, when asked whether next year’s May budget might include a power credit. “But our focus is very much on continuing to support investment in heath and of course, housing. “Housing is probably the key priority in relation to supporting more housing supply and supporting first home owners, getting to their first home.” Since winning power in 2017, the Labor Government has on several occasions eased power bill pain for West Australians by providing energy rebates by as much as $600 a year. But after winning this year’s March state Election, a Roger-Cook-led Labor Government decided to cut the rebates - power bills for WA households going up 2.5 per cent. WA power bills were however lessened, as a result of a $150 power bill rebate, courtesy of the Albanese Government. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers this week left the door open for another federal power bill rebate in 2026. Meanwhile, the head of Anglicare WA, Mark Glasson, said on Saturday families were doing it tough heading to Christmas. He said the state and federal governments needed to do more to help the most vulnerable cope with cost-of-living pressures. “More and more people across the state are struggling with the rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing and making tough choices every day,” Mr Glasson said. “This festive season there will be families having to decide between paying the rent or buying presents, or whether to forgo a prescription for Christmas dinner. “The number of people experiencing poverty has doubled in the last decade. “Both the State and Federal Governments need to be bold and show commitment to addressing financial pressures and growing wealth inequality.” Mr Glasson said there needed to be more targeted help - to ease the burden on the most vulnerable. ““We want to see simple measures that support people to afford the basics - such as targeted energy, utility and rent relief programs in the short-term – with a real vision to addressing inequality long-term, like tax reform initiatives that wind back generous tax concessions in areas of investment, housing, and superannuation,” he said. “We are also asking for targeted emergency payments of up to $1000 for low-income households with high energy and water debts and the removal of all fees for small scheduled utility bill repayments. “We are also urging the WA Government to extend the Energy Ahead and WA Rent Relief Programs for another two years – providing certainty to West Australians doing it tough that these essential supports to keep them in their homes will continue.”