How much head scratching, and mental contortions, were required to produce last week’s editorial (Optics v reform) – about the $300 help with electricity bills. It’s at least original – who else would put their name to such a questionable, transparently anti-Labor stretch.
The $300 is not ‘to alleviate the increase in energy costs’. In fact, according to the AER, electricity prices should start to fall after the EOFY, for the first time in years. This is largely due to the accelerating mix of power in the system from renewables. Not all will be paying for fossil fuels. Those feeling guilty could even use it to subsidise ticking that box that says they want GreenPower.
This is a simple, uncomplicated means of cost-of-living relief without handing out counterproductive lump sums. The vast majority of us get an electricity bill – solar panels or not. Those least likely to be off-grid are renters or those struggling to pay their mortgage. It’s not meant to be a complex policy for structural reform. That’s elsewhere.
Of course there should be incentives for those ‘doing the right thing’ – which is why governments of both persuasions have for years offered extremely generous subsidies via RECs. Those fortunate enough to be off-grid might be less in need of 300 bucks right now than Gina!
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
