A WA Liberal Government will immediately provide financial relief to all West Australians by cutting Labor’s sneaky energy tax within 100 days. Liberal Leader Libby Mettam said the decision to wind back the daily fee by Labor’s 2017 increase was about fairness and responsibility and would save the average household $169 every year.

“We know households across Western Australia are facing unprecedented budget pressures and we are the only party committed to providing meaningful and sustained relief,” she said.

“It’s inexcusable that, in a state as wealthy as WA, so many working families are forced to make impossible choices between paying bills, providing school essentials, or simply putting food on the table.

“Our tax cut will save families almost $700 over four years.”

Under the Labor Government, rising interest rates have added $1,500 per month to mortgage repayments, rents have almost doubled since 2017, and 85,000 kids are living in poverty.

“Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Roger Cook and WA Labor say things aren’t that bad,” said Ms Mettam.

“West Australians are doing it tough, and Roger Cook’s solution is free zoo tickets – we will get our priorities right, and provide meaningful, systematic cost-of-living relief.”

Shadow Energy Minister Dr Thomas said the reduction would most help those household doing it the toughest and were a direct action to reverse a cruel deception by Mark McGowan in 2017.

“Labor promised ‘no new taxes or increases on taxes on West Australians in the lead up to the 2017 election, but almost doubled the cost of the fixed daily supply charge for electricity after it” Dr Thomas said.

“That is an unfair, punitive cost on West Australians, disproportionately affecting working families, pensioners, and vulnerable households who can do nothing to avoid it.

“Under the WA Liberals’ plan we will immediately cut Labor’s unfair electricity charge increases by 46.3 cents per day.

“We will cut Labor’s unfair energy bills for homes to provide immediate and essential cost of living relief for families doing it tough.

“At the same time, we will continue with our energy plan to increase generation capacity to keep the lights on in WA and put downward pressure on prices.

“We will also stop Labor’s rip off of small businesses through massive power price increases.”

In the 2017-18 Budget, Labor doubled the electricity fixed daily supply charge from 48.6 cents to 94.9 cents rather than increasing the tariff for charged per kilowatt hour on the most common home plan A1.

This increased costs for an average household by $169 annually and resulted in a 10.88% increase in power bills.

Over the past eight years this decision has cost households $1,352. A Mettam Liberal Government will cut the rate by 46.3c per day to 67.6c per day. The reduction will cost $676m over four years.

“Cost of living is consistently one of the key issues voters in Kingsley are raising with me,” said Scott Edwardes, WA Liberal Candidate for Kingsley.

“Voters want meaningful cost of living relief and this is just one way a WA Liberal Government will deliver it.”

Only the WA Liberals are dedicated to creating a resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy future for all West Australians.