Gas supply and prices
Chris CREWTHER (Mornington) (09:54): The Andrews Labor government’s decision to ban gas connections in new homes is seemingly one of many desperate distractions put forward by them after their Commonwealth Games debacle. Thankfully, we will now have an inquiry into the games cancellation, which has the support of the entire crossbench in the other place. We all want to know what went wrong behind closed doors. Ironically, forcing new homes onto solely electricity will only initially drive up emissions and the use of coal-fired power, given that coal still accounts for 68 per cent of electricity in Victoria. Further, gas not being used domestically will still be exported and burnt elsewhere, likely less sustainably and with added transport, so global emissions from Victorian gas will not change and may get worse.
The ban will likely also lead to higher gas bills, as limiting the demand for gas will drive up prices for the rest of us on gas, including many struggling Victorians – not to mention the increased costs for new home builds, as builders will have to comply with further regulations about cooktops and water systems, making that new home for first home buyers ever more unattainable. Victorians are angry and want choice on gas.