Posted on: 28 February 2024
The Opposition is rejecting Peter Malinauskas’ excuse that his Labor Government cannot make a meaningful difference to cost of living for South Australians, calling on the Premier to commit to further energy rebates for all households ahead of the upcoming Budget.
At a regional forum on the Eyre Peninsula, Peter Malinauskas told attendees that “there are things that we can do at the margins (to improve cost of living). But it’s largely up to markets because we’re not communist”.
Since Peter Malinauskas became Premier, hardworking South Australian families and businesses have been left to fend for themselves with a typical household $20,000 worse off under Labor during the cost of living crisis.
South Australian families and businesses are battling the highest inflation rate in the country as hospitality venues continue to shut their doors with operating expenses skyrocketing.
Shadow Treasurer Matt Cowdrey said Peter Malinauskas cannot be allowed to pass the buck when it comes to cost of living relief.
“Peter Malinauskas isn’t fooling anyone with this ridiculous excuse his Labor Government can’t have an impact on cost of living pressures for South Australians,” Mr Cowdrey said.
“Peter Malinauskas needs to get his act together ahead of the upcoming Budget and provide broad cost of living relief for all South Australians and further commit to energy rebates.
“South Australia has some of the highest electricity prices in the world and rebates will help take the pressure of families and small businesses, but also not contribute to our inflation rate which is the worst in the country.”
Shadow Minister for Energy and Net Zero, Stephen Patterson, said Peter Malinauskas must outline his cost of living support plan.
“For many months we made repeated calls for broad cost of living relief like energy rebates for all households and now more than ever South Australians are struggling,” Mr Patterson said.
“We know right now that Peter Malinauskas has no plan to lower electricity bills and his experimental hydrogen plant is costing South Australian taxpayers at least $600 million but it won’t lower household energy bills by a single cent.
“Peter Malinauskas is skipping around on the Eyre Peninsula spruiking his experimental hydrogen power plant when he knows it won’t do a thing for struggling families and businesses.
“It makes no sense that taxpayers – who are struggling to make ends meet with whopping energy costs – are forking out $600 million for something that won’t turn the dial on cost of living pressures.”
The former Liberal Government saved SA households $1,092 per year due to lower ESL bills, water and electricity bills, CTP costs and higher sports voucher payments.