Environment and Communications Legislation Committee – Budget Estimates
Senator Hollie Hughes has accused the Albanese government of ‘Pocock-Barrelling’ in its most recent federal budget after $7.5 million was specifically singled out as a line item in the budget for the ACT. The scheme provides low cost loans to encourage better energy efficiencies for homes despite a similar national scheme existing as part ofthe Clean Energy Finance Corporation’s $1 billion program also announced in the budget. Independent ACT Senator David Pocock recently provided crucial support to the Labor government in securing passage for its Safeguard Mechanism Reforms bill after initially witholding his endorsement until very late in negotiations. Senator Hughes suggested the carve-out for Senator Pocock’s home territory was a ‘kicker’ to garner support for the bill.
