Stop the ban on gas appliances

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the introduction of legislation by the Government on 11 September 2024 that allows the Government to give itself the power to ban the installation or replacement of household gas appliances, including cooktops.

A ban on gas appliances removes choice and makes it harder for many to manage their budgets. The proposed gas appliance ban does not account for the needs of Victoria’s proudly diverse communities. Electric alternatives to gas appliances, like heating and hot water systems can be prohibitively expensive and for many households will require tens of thousands of dollars to upgrade their wiring to three phase systems to cope with the additional electrical load. This is a cost that is not reflected in the government’s household savings claims.

Today, and for the foreseeable future, Victoria’s electricity predominantly comes from ageing and increasingly unreliable brown coal generators. Forcing millions of households to switch to electric appliances will result in more emissions, not fewer. Other states and territories recognise the need for choice in energy transitions, and bans on household gas appliances have been rejected by every state Labor government, as well as the Federal Government.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to follow the example set by their state and federal counterparts by respecting and protecting Victorians' right to select the most reliable and affordable energy solutions for their homes, protect our energy security and financial well-being and stop the ban on gas appliances.