Tuesday, 15 August 2023

Energy policy

Renee HEATH (Eastern Victoria) (16:36): (389) My adjournment is for the Minister for Energy and Resources, and the action that I seek is that the minister explains how Labor’s decision to ban gas connections from next year will save Victorian families up to $1000 off their energy bills. This is a big claim, and Victorians want to know how it will work. Stated in your media release, and I quote:

New Victorian households will save up to $1,000 off their annual energy bills while reducing household emissions, as part of the … Labor Government’s landmark decision to phase out gas in new homes.

The problem is it is just not true. Prices are on the rise and so are emissions under this plan. Firstly, less gas means more brown coal. Gas has roughly half the emissions of brown coal. This move will increase emissions. Secondly, if financial savings are so great there is no need to legislate it; people will switch over by choice. Victorians are sick of bearing the brunt of Labor’s bad decisions. Labor governments around this country continue to claim that their ideological agendas will ease the cost-of-living crisis, yet bills continue to skyrocket. Last month Nine News reported that Victorian families can expect their power bills to rise by 25 per cent this financial year. So minister, can you please outline to Victorian families exactly how these savings will be achieved?