Power cost relief was a central part of the federal government's $3.5 billion cost-of-living package included in yesterday's budget.
But today it is causing the government a political headache over whether people owning more than one home will receive multiple $300 discounts.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was tackled about owners of multiple properties receiving multiple energy relief payments. presenter Karl Stefanovic pressed Albanese this morning whether wealthy Australians who own more than one property, such as mining magnate Gina Reinhart, needed the energy price relief.
He failed to clarify whether people owning holiday or rental homes would receive multiple discounts. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said energy bill relief will go to the person whose name is on the power bill.From July 1, Australians will receive an energy rebate of $300. "They don't have the information, on people's incomes," he said.
"And so we'd have to design and create a whole new system which would take longer and take money and take, a lot of effort .. instead is we're providing this energy bill relief to every household."