The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) is alarmed and deeply disappointed by the Victorian Government’s misdirection and bad faith, after it stealthily introduced legislative amendments hidden in the state’s building codes to ban gas appliances, including cooktops, from all existing Victorian homes.
The Victorian Government have not consulted with industry on this legislative amendment. It is a clear breach of good faith, and it has damaged previously constructive dialogue between industry and government.
It is deeply disappointing that the Victorian Government signalled one thing through the media on Monday, and by Wednesday had introduced legislation to do the exact opposite.
The Building Legislation Amendment 2024 gives the Victorian Government the ability to:
If the Bill is passed, the Victorian Government will be able to enforce gas appliances bans for every new and existing Victorian home without facing any further scrutiny in the Victorian Parliament.
APGA chief executive Steve Davies says the Victorian Government giving itself extraordinary powers to strip away the rights of homeowners and renters because it might need them later does not pass the pub test.
“These draconian measures will not have any impact on improving gas supply for Victorians in the short-term, and will instead have the opposite effect through chilling investment in new production,” Mr Davies said.
“Why would any energy company invest in delivering much-needed gas supply for Victoria when the state government is openly trying to destroy the business case? It is completely counterproductive.”
“This Bill creates an economically unviable situation where the state government is essentially telling the 60,000 Victorians businesses on the gas network that they don’t want or need their business anymore.”
APGA recognises that electrification is an important transition pathway for some homes and businesses, but strongly opposes prescriptive policy that increases the costs for all Victorians, while also increasing emissions and exacerbating pressure on the state’s increasingly unreliable brown coal-fired power grid.
APGA continue to urge the Victorian Government to work with industry to reduce electricity demand by developing renewable gases, alongside renewable electricity, to reduce the strain on its coal-fired power grid.
Dual-fuel homes have much lower emissions than all-electric homes, emitting 2.83 tCO2-e per annum, compared to 3.43 tCO2-e per annum for all-electric homes in 2023 – which is more than 20 per cent higher.
About
The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) represents the owners, operators, designers, constructors, and service providers of Australia’s pipeline infrastructure, connecting natural and renewable gas production to demand centres in cities and other locations across Australia. Our members offer a wide range of services to gas users, retailers and producers and ensure the safe and reliable delivery of 28 per cent of the end-use energy consumed in Australia.
Contact
For further information or the opportunity to engage with Mr Steve Davies please contact:
Paul Purcell
Corporate Affairs Manager
0422 247 750