Thursday, 10 September 2026

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:13): Today I would like to speak about how the Labor government is continuing to help Victorians save money on their energy bills through the Victorian energy upgrades program. This is the largest energy efficiency program in the country. The VEU saves Victorians on the up-front costs of energy-efficient appliances and guarantees continued energy bill savings by reducing energy demand. This places downward pressure on wholesale prices, and it is contributing to why Victoria continues to have the lowest energy prices in the country.

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: Those opposite hate me saying that we have the lowest wholesale prices in the country. They just hate it. You are champions for higher prices, we know that. If the VEU did not exist, Victorian energy bills would be higher; it is a fact. Over 2.4 million households and 180,000 businesses have taken advantage of the program – a program that those opposite do not support. Just last year a record 62,000 households accessed discounted heating and cooling upgrades: 62,000 people have taken opportunities to reduce their bills with their cooling and heating. It saves Victorians on their bills each and every year: $460 when you replace a room gas heater or up to $1140 when replacing a ducted gas system, and discounts off the initial up-front costs of installation can be up to $7000.

Last sitting week we passed legislation which strengthens and enhances the program. We have also extended the VEU program out to 2045. I would like to see those opposite confirm that they would support the program out to 2045, considering they voted against it. The only related policy suggestion that the Liberal–National–One Nation coalition have managed to come up with is something that we actually already do. We already provide solar discounts to commercial and industrial businesses under our VEU program, and we have made Victoria the home of big batteries.