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NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says a re-elected Liberals and Nationals government will slash energy bills by $250 and help households unlock up to $400 in further savings by switching to a better deal.
- Dominic Perrottet this morning promised to slash energy bills by $250
- The NSW Energy Bill Saver will be available from July 1 through to December 31
- Chris Minns says the program shows privatisation has failed
The NSW Energy Bill Saver program will allow households to receive $250 off their energy bills by simply comparing their current energy deal.
They could also unlock up to $400 in further savings by switching energy plans to a lower deal.
"We know households are feeling the pinch right now and that's why we will provide immediate bill relief as well as help families get a better energy deal," Mr Perrottet said.
"This is $250 in short-term energy savings whilst at the same time ensuring NSW households can slash their bills into the future."
The NSW Energy Bill Saver will be available from July 1 through to December 31 with the government pledging $500 million to the scheme.
Households have been encouraged to shop around for a better deal by heading to the Energy Made Easy website.
The government says switching providers between now and 1 July won't prevent households from being eligible for the $250 if they search again when the program launches.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the initiative would offer much-welcomed relief for families.
"This program isn't just for today, it's a simple way families right across NSW can save money long-term, by assessing their provider," Mr Toole said.
"The hard-working people of NSW deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money and this initiative will help develop habits which will go well beyond the $250 payment."
Opposition leader Chris Minns this morning said the scheme proved the government's "obsession with privatisation" hadn't worked.
"The government announced a cash handout based on a website for NSW residents," Mr Minns said.
"That cash splash ... What the government hasn't told you it's a one-off payment, just for one 12-month period and that the following 12 months electricity prices are expected to jump by an additional 30 per cent.
"I think many taxpayers in NSW will be asking 'why did you sell off the power stations in the first place?'.
"At the end of the day if this is an admission of the government's reckless privatisation agenda has smashed household budgets and now in one-off payments have to try to recoup the losses that everybody in this state has had to endure because the premier of NSW is obsessed with privatisation."