Victorians will enjoy lower energy prices and greater choice as part of a Liberals and Nationals plan for affordable and reliable energy by allowing new conventional gas exploration and overturning Labor’s gas connection ban for new homes and businesses.
The plan will help combat rising energy prices and the risks to Victoria’s energy supply caused by the Allan Labor Government’s reckless pursuit of renewables.
The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said Labor had foolishly cut Victoria’s energy mix to solely rely on renewables at the expense of existing reliable, low carbon-emission energy sources by phasing out gas and coal before renewable projects had anywhere near the capacity to cater for Victoria’s needs.
She said this had only increased energy prices and cost-of-living pressures for all Victorians.
“Labor’s ideological rush to only renewables has not only jeopardised the stability of our energy grid but also punished rural and regional communities by forcing them to host these renewable projects,” she said.
“Meanwhile, the cost of power only keeps rising.
“About 80 per cent of Victorian households rely on gas, making it a critical part of our energy mix.
“The Nationals and Liberals plan will unlock more gas to give Victorians more choice, lower energy bills, and take pressure off the reckless, hasty endless rollout of renewables projects, ensuring we can keep our homes warm and our businesses operating.
“If we’re serious about keeping the lights on, protecting manufacturing and lowering energy prices, we have to start backing low-emission local gas.
“Only the Liberals and Nationals have a plan to ease the pressure on energy prices and give Victorians the choice they deserve when it comes to their energy needs.”
