My question is for the Minister for Energy and Resources. How is the Allan Labor government helping Glen Waverley residents keep their energy bills low with summer approaching? We know that cost-of-living pressures are hitting Victorians hard, and energy bills play a significant part of the stress that many have. Therefore it is incumbent on governments to address this issue to help those who need it most. The SEC will go a long way to addressing some of the structural challenges that we face as a state. Although some may still have denial, climate change is real, and Victoria must make the necessary transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. A government-owned renewable energy company will provide affordable and reliable energy for Victorian households, driving down the prices and protecting our planet. Unlike those opposite, who sold off the SEC, we believe that Victorians deserve services which are for Victorians. We are on the side of Victorians, supporting the switch to all-electric households and, through that, helping Victorians with their power bills. I look forward to the minister’s response.
Minister’s Response:
Victoria’s record investments in renewable energy means that Victoria has consistently had the lowest wholesale prices in the National Electricity Market over the past two years, which also means lower retail bills.
The average Victorian Default Offer is $311 or 16.2 per cent less than the average Default Market Offer in other states
The small business VDO is, on average, approximately $1,290 less, or 25.4 per cent, than the small business DMO.
The market also expects these trends to continue. The Australian Energy Regulator reports that average futures prices in Victoria over the next two years will be 37 percent lower than Queensland and 66 percent lower than New South Wales.
The State Electricity Commission (SEC) is also helping Victorians save money on their energy bills and switch their homes to electricity. The SEC’s consumer pilot program is part of the SEC’s work to build a trusted one-stop shop for consumers wanting to switch to electric.
The SEC pilot includes a free digital platform, available to households across Victoria, that walks users through a short survey about their home and energy usage and then tailors a plan to cut their energy bills through electrification. It includes suggestions for suitable appliances, indicative costs, return on investment, government rebates, and emissions reductions.
The SEC is also informing consumers about improvements available to households on all budgets. This includes small, cost-effective steps that can be taken immediately, to larger investments that can be made when their current appliances reach end of life. The SEC is running online public information sessions that offer expert advice and virtual home tours to support Victorians at all stages to go electric, helping energy users understand the benefits of home energy improvements.
Further information can be found at https://www.secvictoria.com.au/powerup
Households can also take up discounts, rebates or loans on energy saving products through the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program and the Solar Homes Program, under Solar Victoria. These programs are helping households across the state to upgrade to energy efficient, electric appliances, reducing their energy bills and emissions.
Further information on the VEU program can be found at:
https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/households and the Solar Homes Program at:
https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-homes-program.
Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP
Minister for Climate Action
Minister for Energy and Resources
Minister for the State Electricity Commission
