The Victorian government is considering outlawing rebates for gas appliances as part of the state’s commitment to electrifying households.
The proposal, pushed by energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio, would see retailers banned from offering rebates for appliances, including stovetops, hot water systems and heaters for residential and commercial customers.
These rebate bans form part of the government’s Gas Substitution Roadmap, which will phase out incentives for residential gas products in an effort to hit the government’s Net Zero Emissions target in 2050.
But according to the president of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association of Australia (GAMAA), Ross Jamieson, the policy changes would be increasing financial burdens and energy uncertainty for families and family-owned businesses.
“All of this is done in a seemingly ideological stance against gas – for no significant impact on the state’s emissions,” said Mr Jameson.
“The Federal Government’s recently released Future Gas Strategy consultation paper notes that only 2.3 of Australia’s overall emissions come from the use of gas in homes and small businesses.
“In a state still dependent on brown coal for the bulk of its power generation, it makes little sense to focus on residential and small business gas use or to force Victorians to use electric appliances that will be powered by coal.
“The Minister’s obsessive focus on residential gas does nothing to advance Victoria’s transition to a renewable energy grid.”
The proposal comes after recent state polling shows the cost of living remains a pressing issue for most Victorians.
According to Redbridge’s latest September poll, 59 per cent of the 2000 Victorians surveyed chose cost of living as the number one priority for the state government, alongside housing affordability, climate change and ‘the economy’.
That figure was considerably higher than the 36.6 per cent who nominated the same issue in a March poll.
Victorians were also in favour of using gas for the foreseeable future, with 87 per cent agreeing the state needs a mix of energy sources.
More than three-quarters of those polled (77 per cent) did not support a ban on household gas connections.
Mr Jameson urged the Victorian Government to reconsider the proposal, saying the measures restricting the gas industry would hurt both Victorian families and workers.
“More than 60 per cent of gas appliances sold in Australia are made in Australia,” said Mr Jamieson.
“GAMAA members have already seen a loss of 10 per cent in direct industry jobs, with a further 20 per cent reduction likely within 6 months should the change to rebates be rammed through in conjunction with the ban on connecting gas to new homes.”
“Ideological moves to restrict the gas industry are not a sensible or efficient method to achieve this target.
