Low-income earners are reminded that they have until the end of the month to apply for a non-mains energy rebate.
“Under a Victorian Coalition Government election commitment, the concession available to non-mains electricity users has been extended from six to 12 months to cover the summer period,” Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said today.
“This initiative allows residents of caravan parks, retirement villages and other residences that use embedded electricity networks to receive a rebate on their electricity for the whole year.”
“It also ensures concession card holders who don’t receive a mains electricity bill will receive the same benefits as mains electricity customers.”
About 7000 Victorian households, mainly in regional and rural areas, claimed the previous winter-only electricity rebate for 2010 and may now be eligible for the extended rebate for 2011.
Concession cardholders who use other non-mains energy, including LPG, heating oil, firewood or generators for their domestic heating or cooking, were already eligible for year-round concessions.
The amount of the rebate, which ranges from about $40 to $300, depends on the how much energy is purchased.
Holders of a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Gold Card may be eligible for the Non-Mains Energy Concession.
Applications for rebates on all forms of non-mains energy close on 31 January 2012.
Further information is available from the Victorian concessions information line on 1800 658 521, or www.dhs.vic.gov.au/concessions

The Victorian Coalition Government has welcomed a decision last week from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to reject a proposed increase in SP AusNet’s smart meter charges for 2009-2011.

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said SP AusNet had proposed an increase of around $13 million over and above its existing 2009-2011 budget.

“The AER has not approved this increase, and further decided to disallow more than $4 million of the previously approved budget,” Dr Sykes said.

“This is a win for customers in regions serviced by SP AusNet, including areas surrounding Mansfield, Bright, Benalla, Euroa and Seymour.

“The Coalition Government is pleased to note that the regulatory mechanisms have in this case worked to protect Victorian families from further increases in prices.”

More information on the final decision can be found by accessing the AER website: http://www.aer.gov.au.

Dr Sykes said the Coalition Government has commissioned a full and independent cost benefit analysis of the smart meter program, as recommended by the Auditor-General.

The Baillieu Ryan Government is delivering its election commitment to introduce year-round concessions on electricity bills early with the discount now beginning on 1 March.
Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said people throughout the Benalla Electorate who hold pensioner concession cards, health care cards or Veterans’ gold cards will now be eligible for a 17.5% discount on their electricity bills all year.
“This effectively doubles the concessions that were available under the Brumby Labor Government, and will provide much-needed financial assistance for members of our community on low incomes, through the hot summer months as well as during winter,” Dr Sykes said.
A concession card holder currently paying an electricity bill of $1,500 per year would save $262 each year from the concession and there will be an extra saving of $44 from the Coalition’s election commitment applying from 1 March.
“The Baillieu Ryan Government is delivering its election promises and this assistance for members of our community who need it most, is being delivered early,” Dr Sykes said.
Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said across Victoria more than 815,000 Victorians such as aged pensioners, veterans, sole parents, people with disabilities and carers, will benefit from the year-round reduction of 17.5 per cent on their electricity bills.
Eligible concession card holders will receive the concessions through a discount on their electricity bill.
Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said the Coalition Government had been working closely with electricity retailers to introduce this important election commitment as early as possible.
The timing for eligible Victorians first receiving the new discount on their electricity bill will depend on the billing cycles of individual electricity retailers. If a retailer cannot adjust its billing system to include the concession from 1 March in a customer’s next due bill, the discount will be backdated and included in the earliest possible bill after that.
“This initiative will be a big help to members of our community who have been struggling to make ends meet as the basic costs of living such electricity have been increasing,” Dr Sykes said.
The Coalition committed $351.4 million over four years to deliver the year-round electricity concession. An additional $22 million will be allocated to make the concession available from 1 March 2011.

Last week in Parliament Nationals Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said the Brumby Labor Government’s financial mismanagement on major projects, such as smart meters, was further proof that this government could not manage money.

Speaking on the Appropriation (2009/2010) Bill, Dr Sykes said, “Previous speakers have mentioned a $10.7 billion blow-out on major projects management, including the infamous Myki and the equally famous smart meters (or not-so-smart meters).”

The roll out of smart meters to 2.5 million Victorian homes and businesses has cost $800 million more than the original estimate.

Dr Sykes said his office continues to receive calls from angry constituents as people realise that they are paying for an item they are not in receipt of and can therefore be of no benefit.

“The Myki of metering has enraged many residents right across the State including the Benalla Electorate.

“I have tabled over 350 signatures in Parliament in response to the bungled smart meter roll out and will table further petitions when Parliament resumes on June 7,” Dr Sykes said.

The total number of signatures tabled in the Legislative Assembly is now 3,188, Victoria wide.

“The petition calls for the Brumby Labor Government to immediately freeze the roll out of smart meters across Victoria until it can be independently demonstrated that consumers will not be forced to pay for the Brumby Government’s mistakes,” Dr Sykes said. “It is imperative that the community voice their opinion.”

“Residents have been further angered by the fact that it is not only the cost of the smart meter they have to pay for. If you actually want to use the smart meter to help control power usage, this information is not available from the smart meter itself.

“Instead residents have to buy a screen, a digital unit which is fitted inside the home and pay for it to be installed.

“The only way to save power is by doing the washing at 3am and leaving heaters and air conditioners off during the day because it is going to cost more.

“The Government has again failed country Victorians and I encourage everyone to continue to submit signed petitions to my office.”

Petitions are available from 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla, phone 5762 2100 or email bill.sykes@parliament.vic.gov.au to request an electronic copy.