The Tasmanian Liberal Government is doing what matters for all Tasmanians by delivering cost-of-living relief.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the past two years have seen extraordinarily high inflation rates, driven by national and global factors.
“Our Government knows these pressures have caused real challenges for many Tasmanians,” Premier Rockliff said.
“One of the biggest impacts has been interest rate increases, which have significantly constrained family budgets.
“The average Tasmanian mortgage holder is now paying over $14,000 more on interest repayments because of Federal monetary policy settings.
“Fuel prices have also increased again – with the average price for unleaded petrol in Tasmania in the week ending October 1 was $2.15 per litre, which was above the national average of $2.11 per litre.
“The cost of a doctor’s appointment is more than $100 – and the Federal Government’s Medicare rebate hasn’t kept pace.
“All of this adds to the burden on Tasmanian families and businesses.”
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is taking action to help Tasmanians with a range of living expenses with hundreds of millions of concessions available.
“We are delivering almost $400 million in concessions help over the next four years, which is an increase of more than 28 per cent compared to the 2022-23 Budget,” Premier Rockliff said.
“This means concession customers will receive $880 in power bill relief – that is 42 per cent of the typical concession customer’s bill.
“Eligible small businesses, including community sector organisations, will also receive a total rebate of $650 this year.”
To help better support Tasmanians in need, we are increasing indexation to community sector by seven per cent over two years.
Cost-of-living measures:
- Increased funding into Neighbourhood Houses;
- Provided $2 million over two years in Food Relief and helped Loaves & Fishes and Foodbank with funding for new trucks;
- Introduced a Veteran Wellbeing voucher;
- Made Aurora Plus free;
- Expanded the Private Rental Incentive Program to deliver even more affordable rentals;
- Helping school students with their digital inclusion;
- Expanded NILS to cover rental bonds and initial rents and lifted the NILS cap to expand access to household essentials;
- Removed the co-payment for patient travel;
- Expanded the school lunch pilot;
- Increased accommodation and travel allowances for apprentices and trainees.
Premier Rockliff said this Liberal Government will continue to act on the cost of living for those who need help most.
“At the same time, we’re increasing wages, including a one-off cost of living and lower income payments for eligible State employees,” the Premier said.
“Our Government is continuing to do what matters for all Tasmanians.”
