Wednesday, 18 March 2026

 Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:28): I rise to inform the house that the Allan Labor government is not only helping Victorians get into their own homes but making it more affordable for them to live in their own homes. Our nation-leading Solar Homes program is slashing bills for more and more Victorians every single day. In fact more than 450,000 households across the state – regional, rural and metropolitan – have absolutely enjoyed the benefits of this program. If you are in a home in Tarneit with solar panels, our program is saving you between $500 and $1000 off your power bills every year. For a home in Cranbourne with a hot water heat pump our program is saving hundreds per year off energy bills. These are real savings right now back in the pockets of households right now, and we know that every dollar counts right now more than ever.

What is more, this cheap renewable energy from our rooftop solar systems alone delivered more than 11 per cent of our total electricity into the grid last year, pushing down power prices for every Victorian whether they had panels or not. It is part of why average Victorian household electricity bills are consistently the lowest in the country. As a contrast in policy, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition denounced solar rebates as unnecessary. I do not believe that the 450,000 households who have been supported by our Solar Homes program would agree. They are saving real money off their energy bills every day. That is more money back in their pockets, helping to ease their cost of living. Only the Allan Labor government will back Victorians and their families, back cheaper renewables and help cut the cost of living.