Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Ministers statements: Solar Homes program

Ms D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park—Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Solar Homes) (14:30): I am absolutely delighted to update the house on how our climate leadership is delivering lower emissions, more jobs and lower power prices for Victorians. Since 2014 we have reduced emissions and created more clean energy jobs than any other state. Last year we increased our output of renewables more than any state ever. More renewable energy means lower prices, and in fact the average household’s bills have fallen by nearly 10 per cent over the last 12 months and are the lowest in five years. On top of this families are reaping the benefits of renewable energy on their rooftops, with the Solar Homes program reaching nearly 190 000 installations across this state, saving households an average of $1000 each and every year off their bills and creating 5500 jobs.

The contrast could not be sharper with what the alternative is on offer. Between 2010 and 2014 investment in renewable energy stalled, employment collapsed and power prices shot up by nearly 35 per cent. We have worked very hard to overturn that sorry record. They want everyone to believe that they have changed since 2018, but we know that that is absolutely not true. Yesterday morning they claimed that they had supported all of our bills through Parliament on climate change. Hansard proves that to be incorrect. Our record we very much stand by because it is true and it is factual. Yesterday afternoon we had the Leader of the Opposition claim there was nothing new about the commitment on net zero emissions by 2050, having mentioned it in passing on Joy FM. This is also not true. Our government is delivering real outcomes for Victorians. Those opposite could not be trusted in 2018 and they sure cannot be trusted now, today, in 2022.