Premier Roger Cook coy on more cost-of-living relief as next round of power bill credits roll out

Premier Roger Cook has hinted at more cost-of-living relief on the way for households, ahead of the roll-out of the next round of power bill credits this weekend.

From Saturday, most West Aussies will see the $350 credit applied to their next Synergy or Horizon power bill, in time for both Christmas and summer.

Others — those in strata apartments or retirement villages — will need to apply online through the WA Government website for the rebate.

But, as cost-of-living pressures for most households continue to mount in the lead up to Christmas, Mr Cook confirmed his Government was continuing to look at other relief measures across the State.

Asked directly if options such as water bill or car registration relief was being considered, the Premier said: “We’re continuing to look right across the spectrum of state government about how we can provide cost of living relief.

“I’m certainly not ruling out more cost of living measures,” he added.

“We’ll obviously look at all the opportunities that present to us and taking advice from Treasury and taking advice from the experts in terms of where West Aussies are doing at toughest and how we can particularly target those West Aussies to give them the cost of living relief they need.”

Currambine father Shane Arnold, who joined the Premier for the announcement, said the $350 credit would effectively give his family 58 days of free electricity, including running air-conditioning through the summer.

While claiming the rebates were a sugar hit, Liberal leader Libby Mettam said a Government she lead would be open to continuing them.

“We are certainly not ruling out electricity rebates into the future, but we’re also committed to fundamental and sustainable reform going forward,” she said.

As part of the Liberals’ election platform, Ms Mettam has committed to halving the daily supply charge for households, saving families $169 a year.