Tuesday, 9 December 2025

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (13:32): There is one issue I am particularly fired up about, and it is making sure people have choice in their energy sources. The government continue their reckless and ideological attack on gas in Victorian homes and will be ripping out gas stove tops from March 2027, and they have already been blocking gas to new homes, discriminating against migrant families that live in the growth areas of Melbourne. The ABC reported in June that some ministers knew that this was a step too far and had expressed concern because they know what all Victorians know, particularly migrant families: that those in established suburbs want choice in the options available to them, not more state-sanctioned discrimination against our multicultural communities and people that live in growth areas. People want to heat their homes and cook their meals in the manner they see fit.

To make matters worse, the government have backflipped on their backflip in June. The Australian Financial Review has reported that Victorian home owners will be forced to go electric even if they replace their gas hot-water heater, even if it is more expensive in a cost-of-living crisis. This decision, signed into law in the Government Gazette quietly by Ms Shing, is a slap in the face to my community and to Victorian multicultural communities across our state. They want the ability to heat and cook as they see fit.