Ministers statements: energy policy
Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (15:10): I am delighted to update the house on our government’s commitment to lower Victorian energy bills and lower emissions with new all-electric homes. Last Friday the Minister for Planning and I announced that from 1 January next year all new homes requiring planning permits will be all electric. This is an important step that will help save new home owners around $1000 a year on their energy bills – each and every year – and more than $2200 when they pair it with rooftop solar. We know that electrification is the future, and that is why industry has already begun making the switch to modern, energy-efficient electricity appliances. It is also why our decision has the backing of the Property Council, Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS), the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Master Builders, the Asthma Foundation, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria, the Climate Council, the Green Building Council, the Clean Energy Council and the Grattan Institute. I just need to refer to two comments which really articulate and sum up the benefits of this policy. The Brotherhood of St Laurence said, ‘New homes are better off without gas, and this move will reduce gas costs for existing customers too. This is a great step towards a plan for electric homes that can lower costs for all households and reduce emissions.’ VCOSS said, ‘Gas is yesterday’s fuel. Today’s announcement of a ban on gas connections to new homes after Jan 1 is a big step forward in the transition to cleaner, greener, cheaper renewable energy.’ That is absolutely what this is about: lower bills, lower emissions. Those who oppose this policy, including those opposite, are simply mouthpieces for the gas industry who only care about locking in Victorians to decades-long gas bills. That is not our way, and we are going to get this done.