Energy Policy
By John Berger
03 AUGUST 2023
My adjournment is to the Minister for Energy and Resources, in the other place, Minister D’Ambrosio. On Friday we announced something big. New Victorian households will save $1000 on their annual energy bills by reducing household emissions. It is part of the Andrews Labor government’s nation-leading reform to phase out fossil gas in new homes. From 1 January any new residential build, including subdivisions that require a planning permit as well as public and social housing will be exclusively connected to electricity. For public buildings like schools, hospitals and other government-owned buildings, the transition from gas is effective immediately for all projects yet to reach design stage.
Why are we doing this? As Minister D’Ambrosio said, our gas sector contributes 70 per cent of Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions. Curbing gas consumption is crucial for Victoria to meet our emissions reduction target of 75 to 80 per cent by 2035 and net zero by 2045, and these ambitious goals must be met. We also know that our gas bills are rising and gas reserves are no longer plentiful, so something must be done. Electricity can do everything gas can and more. Take a modern induction stove – they are safer, cleaner and quicker to use. Trust me, you can still cook a good steak with induction.
In Victoria households can receive rebates to upgrade their heating, cooling and hot-water heaters, all thanks to the Andrews Labor government, and new and existing home owners and renters can access the Solar Homes program, which offers solar panel rebates and interest-free loans for household batteries. Existing homes will not be subjected to the gas ban, nor will homes that are being renovated or extended, but we will continue to support the electrification of homes, particularly as older gas appliances wear out. With 2 million Victorian families connected to the gas network, we need to accelerate the pace of change. I am proud that our side of the chamber is doing all we can to support the transition. It is the way of the future.
We have already seen that the Australian Capital Territory is phasing out gas for new builds by the end of this year, and as the minister said yesterday, it is why our decision has the backing of the Property Council of Australia, the Victorian Council of Social Service, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Master Builders Victoria, the asthma foundation, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria, the Climate Council of Australia, the Green Building Council of Australia, the Clean Energy Council and the Grattan Institute. That is why my adjournment to the minister is this: will the minister pop down to my community of Southern Metro, specifically to the electorate of Hawthorn, and visit households who are electrifying their homes?