Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Ministers statements: cost of living

Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:20): It is so important that Victorians have homes that are not only warm in the winter and cool in the summer but that they can afford to live in too. That is absolutely important. We know that one of the best ways that we can help Victorians with their bills is to help their energy costs and cut those. Since the start of gas exports in 2014, the cost of gas has more than tripled in the east coast gas market. That is why our priority has been to help Victorians with these costs, and I, together with local members, have been visiting families right across the state to hear from them about the savings they are making every day because of the help we are providing them through our numerous programs.

[NAMES AWAITING VERIFICATION]

We heard from Adam and Effie in Sunbury, Lawrence in Ferntree Gully, Michael and Anne in Pascoe Vale and Mislena and David in Pakenham. These are just some examples of families who were absolutely excited about how much money they are saving on their energy bills every day, and they are telling their friends and families about that. This is real cost-of-living relief for these families that is ongoing. They are joining more than 50,000 Victorian families who have already swapped out their gas hot water systems for cheaper-to-run heat pump systems.

With the up-front cost of installation slashed with our Solar Homes rebates and our Victorian energy upgrades discount, we are providing Victorians with real support now when they need it. That is what good governments ought to do every day. Swapping out just one hot water system alone can save a family $330 off their energy bills every year, and if they have got solar because of our rebates program, their savings jump to $520 a year each and every year. The opposition have not once ever supported any of the programs that this government has rolled out to help slash the energy bills of Victorians. They put the big energy companies first and Victorians last.