Anthony Albanese has just announced his latest “cost of living” relief — a shiny new subsidy where the government will fork out 30% of the cost of home batteries for solar. Sounds generous, right? Until you realise the fine print: you still need to come up with $10,000 if you already have solar, and a jaw-dropping $15,000 to $20,000 if you don’t.
This isn’t a solution for everyday Australians. It’s not for renters. It’s not for those on minimum wage. It’s not even for most middle-class families trying to make ends meet. This is a scheme for the well-off, the upper-middle class homeowners who already enjoy the luxury of a rooftop solar array and have spare cash sitting around.
For everyone else? Tough luck. Want to take advantage of the scheme? Go into debt, pay interest, and pray the battery doesn’t die in a decade — or worse, explode, like Labor’s last genius home energy scheme: the infamous pink batts disaster.
Let’s be clear. This isn’t a cost-of-living relief plan — it’s a green virtue signal that leaves the people who need help the most out in the cold. And it’s being sold to Australians as a favour. It’s not. It’s just another example of a Labor government looking out for their own inner-city elites while pretending to care about the battlers.
If you’ve got a spare $20k, congratulations — Albo will throw you a bone. For the rest of Australia? Keep struggling, and don’t expect any real help anytime soon.