Important cost of living relief is here. Up to 50,000 Territorians and 13,000 small businesses are set to benefit from the Energy Bill Relief Fund this quarter.
A partnership between the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Government will see eligible Territorians receive a power bill rebate of $350 and small businesses receive bill relief of $650 during 2023-24.
The Energy Bill Relief Fund is co-funded on a 50:50 basis between the Commonwealth and Territory Governments with both providing funding of $11.5 million.
For Territory households the bill relief will be targeted to existing concession scheme members, households receiving income support, pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, and Family Tax Benefit A and B recipients.
All households in remote Indigenous Essential Services communities will also receive energy bill relief.
This funding comes in addition to the Territory Government contributing $124.1 million in 2023-24 in Community Service Obligation payments to keep domestic power prices down across the Territory.
The Territory Government increased utility tariffs by only 2.7% in 2023-24, the same increase as in 2022-23. This increase is well below inflation and significantly lower than other jurisdictions who on average increased utility tariffs by 29.3% between May 2022 and August 2023.
Further, the Territory Government is providing $40.6 million for the NT Concession and NT Seniors schemes which see up to 15,000 Territorians able to access up to $3,492 in concessions to subsidise utilities costs, council rates, vehicle registration and spectacles costs.
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:
"The Territory Government provides hundreds of dollars worth of savings each year for Territorians and their families.
"Together with the Federal Government we are funding a joint $23 million package of further power prices relief - this is on top of $124.1 million worth of savings we provide all Territorians.
"We will continue to work with the Federal Government to bring more savings an ease the cost of living for Territorians."
Quote attributable to Treasurer, Eva Lawler:
"Supporting Territorians and small businesses is front and centre for our Territory Labor Government.
"The Energy Bill Relief Fund marks a significant investment from both the Territory and Commonwealth Government to support those who are feeling the cost of living pressures the most, allowing them to put their money towards other vital life expenses.
"We will continue to work with the Australian Government to drive down the cost of living for Territorians."
Northern Territory Government
