Thursday, 31 October 2024

 Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:32): I am delighted to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is not only building more homes and more opportunities for Victorians but helping to make existing homes more comfortable to live in and cheaper to run. Demand for energy-efficient space heaters, heat pumps and hot-water systems has skyrocketed under our Victorian energy upgrades program since last year. Why? Because Victorians know that going electric can save them thousands of dollars off their energy bills every year. Using our discounts, Victorians have installed enough electric energy-efficient space heaters to remove a million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions since last year alone. Victorians have saved up to $3600 on new heating systems with the VEU discount, and the benefits do not stop there. You can save $600 each and every year on your energy bills – real savings in your pocket, not in the gas companies’ pockets.

The member for Tarneit will be glad to know that homes in his electorate have received these discounts for more than 1100 heating and hot-water systems since mid last year. Close behind is the member for Narre Warren South’s electorate, over 1000; in Werribee, 960; in Melton, 855; and in Laverton and Cranbourne, 840. But for all other members of this place I also have good news, because every single household and business saves money because of the VEU. Why is that? That is because energy-efficient appliances reduce our demand on energy, which reduces wholesale electricity prices for everybody. This is one of the reasons why we consistently have the lowest wholesale electricity prices in the country. The previous Liberal government tried to kill the VEU program and failed. Like all zombies on Halloween, they will always come back for a repeat performance – zombie blockers, one and all. Instead we will keep helping Victorians save money on their energy bills every day.