Tasmanian Labor has unveiled a monthly billing guarantee as part of a $20 million cost-of-living election promise aimed at helping families manage financial stress.
Leader Dean Winter announced the policy today, saying Labor would ensure all government bills and services could be paid monthly rather than quarterly.
“Under Tasmanian Labor, there will be no more electricity bill shock,” Winter said.
“One big bill a quarter makes it really tough for people to make ends meet.”
“Things like car registration that can’t be paid monthly makes it really tough for Tasmanians and there’s a lot of other bills that simply aren’t easy enough to switch to monthly bills.”
The monthly billing option would apply across government businesses and car registration, giving families more flexibility to manage their budgets.
Labor’s broader cost-of-living package includes $100 sports vouchers for every Tasmanian student to help cover equipment and registration costs.
The party plans to scrap the government’s $100 tourism vouchers to fund the sports initiative.
Winter has also committed to capping electricity price rises at 2.5% for a period and freezing car registration fees, saving the average driver $15.
Apprentices would receive half-price registration in recognition of their financial pressures.
Winter said the policies were designed around feedback from Tasmanians struggling with household budgets.
“Monthly billing is an option that Tasmanian families tell me they really want,” Winter said.
“We’ll guarantee, through all government businesses and bills that come from government, that they’ll have options to pay monthly instead of getting big bill shock.”
