Name: Energy rebate extension uncertain as Aussie families feel the pinch
Uploaded: 2025-11-10T06:15:58.282Z
Duration: 1 min 49 s
Description: A new Salvation Army survey shows nearly one in three Australians can’t afford Christmas gifts as rising rents, mortgages, and utilities strain budgets. The government faces pressure to extend the energy rebate, now under review ahead of the pre-Christmas budget update.

A new Salvation Army survey shows nearly one in three Australians can’t afford Christmas gifts as rising rents, mortgages, and utilities strain budgets. The government faces pressure to extend the energy rebate, now under review ahead of the pre-Christmas budget update.

Canberra

A recent survey by the Salvation Army found that 30% of Australians are unable to afford Christmas presents for their children, as many households face increased financial stress from rising rent, mortgage, and utility costs. Small businesses are also feeling the strain, with 28% considering closure in the past year due to escalating expenses and regulatory burdens.

The federal government's $75 quarterly energy rebate for households and small businesses is set to end soon, and officials are weighing whether to extend the program amid concerns over its budget impact and ongoing cost-of-living pressures. A decision on the rebate extension is expected in the upcoming budget update, just before Christmas.

Energy rebate extension uncertain as Aussie families feel the pinch

Setting up for the season of giving is still a way to go, but many are already seeing stars about the costs. Not getting any better. People are feeling the pressure. I think expectations on families are very, very high. According to a survey of 2,500 people by the Salvation Army, 30% of Australians can't afford to buy presents for their kids this Christmas. It found rent and mortgage payments are the biggest source of financial stress, closely followed by utility bills. I think it's still really tight. Things are hard. And I'm a first homeowner as well, so I'm really feeling it. It's a combination of everything you touch these days just seems like it's going up and up and up. I have lunch every day at my grandmother's, so I'm quite fortunate saving a bit of money there. It's getting to business owners too. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says 28% of small businesses it surveyed considered closing this past year, and more worry they'll have to shut the doors in the next 12 months because of red tape and rising costs. Rent, utilities, energy, they are gripped together and certainly that is the top level concerns. The Federal Government's energy rebates, which knock $75 off the quarterly power bill for households and small businesses, are set to wind up at the end of the year. I've said that the rebates won't be a permanent feature. But he hasn't shut the door on them. The Prime Minister's still deciding whether to extend those energy rebates once again, weighing up the cost on the federal budget in the billions and the pressure on families with high bills and inflation creeping up. It's a total swindle. It's a band-aid on an amputated leg that's happened out in the paddock. Our number one focus is always on cost of living and on the economy and making a difference to people's pockets. A decision's likely to be made in next month's budget update, just in time for Christmas. Chloe Boris, 10 News.

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