Energy security
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:31): (347) My question is to the Minister for Ageing. I refer to the long, hot summer that confronts Victorians, the risk of interruption to energy supplies and the consequent risk to older and vulnerable Victorians, and I therefore ask: has the minister been briefed on the risk of blackouts and the impact that such blackouts may have on older Victorians, and if so, do those briefings advise on the likelihood of such blackouts this summer?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:32): I do thank Mr Davis for his thoughtful question. I have not had a specific briefing at this point in time about those matters, but of course the welfare of older Victorians is absolutely paramount. Of course the government does take advice on things like the weather outlook and emergency services, including essential services and the like. I will certainly ensure that I am availed of any available information as we lead into the summer months. I thank Mr Davis for his prompt, and I will certainly follow that up with my department.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:33): I thank the minister for her response and note the significance of this. A chief health officer report into the January 2009 heatwave showed that 374 Victorians, largely older Victorians, died in the heatwave, and I therefore ask: what steps will you actually take – and I think you have partially answered this – to ensure that no older Victorians die unnecessarily due to blackouts this summer?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:33): I thank Mr Davis for that supplementary question. It is a very important issue, and I will be talking with my department about these matters. I do know that there are a range of programs, not necessarily in my portfolio but in other portfolios, that are designed to ensure that vulnerable Victorians have access to energy concessions, air conditioning, retrofits and the like. These are important programs that are available for eligible Victorians to avail themselves of. When we think about emergencies such as bushfires, we know that heatwaves also have a significant impact on Victorians, as the emergency services minister will attest to, as much as immediate emergencies, such as bushfires and the like. These are important issues. I will follow these up with my department, and I look forward to further exchanges with you, Mr Davis, on this important issue.