Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yet again I must rise to protect my community from the ways of the Victorian Labor government—actions which are heavy-handed, short in thought and completely devoid of consultation. The announcement to ban gas connections for new homes from next year will load more pressure on household budgets which can least afford it. Gas will remain critical until our nation can fully transition to cleaner and renewable energy. Both pumped hydro and gas are needed for many more years to keep the power grid stable. In Victoria, electricity is almost six times more emissions intensive than gas. Perversely, forcing new builds to be all electric causes households to become largely fuelled by coal.

Albury is home to Australia's largest manufacturer of air conditioning and ducted gas heating units. Seeley International is a global leader in developing new energy-efficient cooling and heating appliances, including those run on non-fossil fuels such as hydro-electricity. This gas appliance ban has literally put the wind up them and their buyers. Group Managing Director Jon Seeley tells me there's enormous confusion about how the Victorian decision impacts older homes and repair work. It puts the future of our local workforce of 150 at risk, as well as the plumbing and trade sectors.

I urge my Labor colleagues, particularly those who live in Victoria, to provide some educational information to their Premier. Dan's actions, like his latest snap ban on gas, have big consequences.