Energy Bill Buster: A win-win for households and climate action - more work needed for renters
Voices for Power delegates with the then Environment Minister now Treasurer, Matt Kean in April 2021.
The state's lowest income earners and all of us affected by climate change stand to benefit from today’s $128m Energy Bill Buster Program announced by the NSW Premier and Treasurer.
The new scheme funded in the NSW Budget to be handed down on June 21 has been welcomed by Sydney Alliance and community leaders in the Voices for Power coalition, who have promoted the policy to Treasurer Matt Kean since 2020.
Thuy Linh Nguyen, Voices for Power Organiser with Sydney Alliance, said the policy would allow NSW households eligible for an energy rebate to access 10 years’ worth of rebates in a lump sum contribution towards a solar system, or home appliance upgrade.
“This is smart policy that proves we can cut people’s energy bills and cut carbon emissions at the same time,” Ms Nguyen said. “It comes at a critical time when the cost of energy and living expenses are soaring, people are still experiencing covid and the financial consequences of lockdowns, and life is getting even harder for low-income earners. It is also the critical decade for trying to keep global warming below 2C. So, it’s a win-win.
“Community leaders from western Sydney have met with Mr Keen and his office four times over the past two years to promote this and other policies that save people money by investing in clean, safe and cheap energy, while fighting climate change. It is a relief to see that his government has now adopted this policy, and we will be celebrating it as a great outcome.
“But looking ahead, we also want to continue to work with the government to ensure everyone eligible, especially the diverse communities for whom English is often a second language, can make the most of the scheme. Then we’d love to see the scheme broadened to even more households in NSW.”
“We also have more work to do to ensure that renters aren’t left behind, this package does not address or deliver for renting households” said David Barrow, Lead Organiser, Sydney Alliance.
This is a win for NSW people - more to do
This win was made possible by all the leaders of VfP, who organised, shared stories, and built the power to negotiate solutions for their communities. The guidance and expertise of Nicky Ison, Shelter NSW, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, and Australian Council of Social Services as been invaluable in firming up the Roadmap policy solutions.
The win represents a shift in the NSW government’s approach to climate action and energy transition: The NSW government has been resistant to providing direct support to households on energy and climate, focusing on macro-level infrastructure interventions. Solutions like this make sure that no one is left behind in the energy transition.
There is still work to do. The NSW Government is supporting 30,000 households initially and will expand the program if there is solid take up. We need to feed back to the NSW government that we support this program and work to make sure our communities get access to this program.
The Sydney Alliance will be working with partners to address improvements in this package, espeically for renters; working with allies such as Tenants Union NSW and others so everyone can be included in affordable and renewable energy.
CALL-TO-ACTION: Can you share our social media posts of boost the message to the NSW government that we support this step?
About Voices for Power
Voices for Power is an initiative of Sydney Alliance that brings together diverse cultural, religious and community leaders to build collective power and organise for clean and affordable energy solutions for our communities.
Voices for Power was started after Sydney Alliance leaders heard stories from households in western Sydney about their challenges with increasing energy bills, extreme weather from climate change, and their lack of public voice on both issues.
More than 1500 stories from diverse communities in Sydney have now informed the Voices for Power policy agenda. Leaders of the initiative have consulted with experts in energy and climate policy to develop a road map of 10 policy proposals that reduce power bills, promote clean energy, and prepare for climate change. To find all those policy proposals visit the website here.