Federal Budget 2024: Dick Smith and Allison Langdon vow to give their $300 energy rebate to charity
Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith has urged fellow millionaires to donate their $300 energy rebate to charity after the Albanian government announced the payment for all households.
Even Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart – whose net worth is an estimated $46 billion – will receive a $300 discount on her energy bills in the coming financial year.
Current Affairs host Allison Langdon took aim at federal budget policy on Wednesday night, urging other affluent Aussies to follow her lead and donate the extra money to charity.
‘For many [the payment] puts food on the table, helps with the bills. For others, it’s a small change,” she said.
‘Let’s test the $300 energy rebate for ourselves. If you don’t need it, donate it.’
Allison Langdon (pictured) has pledged to donate $300 to charity after it was announced that every household in Australia, even the richest, will receive $300 off their energy bills
Mr Smith, whose net worth is approximately $60 million, appeared on the program to officially join the program’s ‘300 Campaign’ by pledging his cut.
‘We don’t all need that money. Millions of Australians are doing well,” Smith said.
“I’m going to give my $300 to the Salvation Army and I’m asking everyone, if you’re right, to do the same… That means the money won’t be wasted.”
Mr Smith has selected Meriton billionaire Harry Triguboff to join the case.
“If you can’t give a billion dollars, why don’t you just give $300? It’ll make you feel good, mate,” he said.
Dick Smith (pictured) pledged to donate his $300 discount to the Salvation Army and urged other ‘affluent’ Australians to do the same
OzHarvest founder Ronni Khan is willing to take the $300 rebate off the hands of wealthy Australians to give food to those who need it most.
If 1,000 people donate their $300 rebate to charity, OzHarvest could deliver an additional 1.2 million meals to Australians struggling to put food on the table.
“That’s incredible… I’m sure people will rise to the occasion,” Ms Khan told the programme.
Australian households will not receive the $300 in cash, but in the form of $75 rebates on energy bills every quarter.
While the relief will provide a much-needed break for many, experts fear it will only increase inflation.
The move has also baffled wealthy Australians, who have wondered why they are being offered the extra money when they don’t need it.
Australian voters have slammed Dr Chalmers (left) and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) for giving the discount to ‘rich’ Australians who don’t need it
“A flat $300 in energy aid is lazy and reckless policy,” one voter wrote online.
“Rich Australians don’t need it, and many struggling Australians need a lot more.”
Another said: ‘I don’t need a £300 discount on my energy bill. People on Centrelink need enough money to live.
“Why does everyone get a $300 energy rebate? There are people who are really struggling right now, others are doing fine.
‘Why throw money at those whose expenses have not fallen, while others have to choose between food and heating?’
An angry Australian called the Prime Minister directly and told him the money could have been better spent helping to solve the housing crisis.
“Hey Anthony Albanese, thanks for taking $300 off my utility bill. “The only problem is I don’t have a damn utility bill because I can’t afford to live anywhere,” they said.
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie (pictured) has launched a furious attack on the government’s energy rebate given to every Aussie household regardless of their income
Independent Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie criticized the budget’s explosion of money, especially the lack of means testing for the $300 energy bill rebate.
“I’m not comfortable with people like myself and the super-rich who got a $4,500 tax cut,” she told ABC’s Insiders on Tuesday evening shortly after the Budget.
“All the poor people out there, I tell you what, and we get the $300, not means-tested? Are we back to Covid days? We’re just throwing money away left, right and centre.
“You’re too lazy to do a means test. We don’t need $300. I can assure you.’
About 10 million households are expected to receive the rebate, while one million small businesses will receive $325 off their bills.
The energy discount, announced on Tuesday evening by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, will take effect on July 1.