Nat Barr quizzes Jim Chalmers over one major budget flaw
Nat Barr has quizzed treasurer Jim Chalmers over one major flaw in the federal budget.
On Tuesday night, Chalmers handed down his third federal budget that prioritised cost-of-living relief, with one major initiative saving Aussies big on their next energy bills.
All Australian families will get $300 off their annual electricity bill, while small businesses will also get a $325 rebate for their bills.
Chalmers joined Nat Barr on Sunrise on Wednesday morning to discuss the initiative further, as the host pointed out one major flaw in the government's plan.
“If you’re earning a million dollars, why do you need a $300 power rebate?” Barr asked.
But Chalmers said wealthier Australians weren’t the focus of the rebate, as everyday Aussies struggling with the rising cost of living were sure to benefit.
“It is primarily for people doing it tough — you know, millions and millions of Australians are under cost-of-living pressure,” he said.
“We’re trying to help. So more help is on the way for millions of people under the pump. Whether it is a tax cut for every taxpayer or energy bill relief for every household.”
Barr asked Chalmers if people earning $1 million were “under pressure”, but the treasurer said offering specifically targeted assistance was logistically impossible.
“Once you go beyond (pensioners), you have to design a whole new system because the energy retailers that we use to provide this help, they don’t have income information for people,” he said.
“We deliver this relief via energy bills, via the retailers. There’s not a system that allows you to slice and dice that beyond providing it either to people on pensions and payments.”
Barr's comments were echoed online, with many slamming the logistics of the rebate on social media.
"I'm sure Gina Rinehart is stoked she's getting $300 back on her energy bills," one person commented.
Another added, "If this stupid government gives me $300 off my energy bills it goes straight to charity. Join me if you can afford it."
A third wrote, "Feel like there should be an exemption in the $300 energy rebate for anyone who has ever slept under a doona with the aircon on."
Image credits: Sunrise