16 News

Today the Leader of the Victorian Greens Ellen Sandell has called for a large-scale home and community electrification package including extra rebates for batteries and solar panels, home insulation and the reinstatement of the community climate adaptation grants program, which was cancelled by the Victorian Labor Government.

Ms Sandell has called for this climate action package to be included in the upcoming Victorian State Budget, saying that the recent cyclone Alfred that hit Queensland and New South Wales needs to be a wake up call for all politicians that much more needs to be done to avert more climate disasters.

It comes as Victoria also just recorded its hottest summer on record, with many people forced to swelter in recurring heatwaves or face massive energy bills for running air conditioning. 

Extreme weather events are costing billions of dollars as recent reports indicate that Cyclone Alfred has cost more than $1.2 billion of damage, people missing work and having their businesses forced shut by ongoing power outages.

The Victorian Greens say that we need to be doing more to prepare communities and prevent them from footing the bill of climate disasters, but instead Labor continues to burn coal and gas and has cut multiple climate programs. 

Infrastructure Victoria just outlined that we’re behind on climate targets and the most recent data says that Victoria’s emissions have risen by 5%. 

While Labor has cut the Community Climate Change Adaption Program, the battery rebate program, Home Heating and Cooling Program and reduced solar panel rebates as well as continuing to burn coal and gas. 

The Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell said that the Victorian Government was not doing enough to prevent climate disasters or prepare communities for extreme weather – and that a large-scale cash-back program to move homes away from gas and install batteries and solar on Victorian homes would reduce energy bills as well as reduce emissions.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell: 

“Labor in Victoria has cancelled and cut multiple climate change programs while continuing to burn coal and gas which make climate change worse.”

“Communities shouldn’t have to continue to foot the bill for climate disasters while Labor governments cut climate programs and continue to burn coal and gas”

“We’ve just had the hottest summer in Victoria’s history and Cyclone Alfred wreaked havoc on NSW and Queensland, it’s not good enough for governments just to clean up after climate disasters, we need to prepare communities for the future and do everything we can to prevent future climate disasters by reducing our emissions now.”

“The Greens are calling on Labor to reinstate cash-back programs for home batteries, and increase rebates for home solar panels, so that people can afford to move away from expensive gas heating to reduce their emissions and their energy bills”

In light of Four Corners’ reporting overnight suggesting Australia’s early childhood education and care system is at breaking point, the Greens are urging the Government to set up a Royal Commission.

Investigative reporting from the ABC’s Four Corners program has highlighted a series of deeply troubling revelations including instances of serious abuse, staff misconduct, over-enrolment and other issues caused by a trend of putting profit over care. There is evidence that these issues may be systemic and occurring in centres across the country. 

The Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Victorian Senator Steph Hodgins-May, says the Prime Minister cannot keep ignoring alarm bells, such as those identified in the Four Corners report, and must set out a clear roadmap to reform via a Royal Commission, similar to the one into Aged Care Quality and Safety. 

Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“The Prime Minister can’t keep ignoring the alarm bells that are ringing so loudly within the childcare sector. It’s time for a serious overhaul.

“The Greens are urging the government to initiate a Royal Commission, like was done with the crisis in the aged care system, to make sure that every childcare centre in the country is operating safely for both the kids in care as well as the staff.

“The reports we know about are likely just the tip of the iceberg. A Royal Commission into privatised early childhood education would bring to light the extent of the problem, and help pave the way for reform. 

“The current system is riddled with problems after years of neglect and marketisation of policy—it is too expensive, inaccessible and, at times, even harmful.

“Labor’s childcare subsidy encourages for-profit providers to minimise costs, increase fees and make greater returns often at the expense of our kids. It’s a broken system.

“The Greens believe in free universal education for all—right through from children to university—but we recognise a low-cost flat fee of $10 a day would be a significant improvement on the current approach.

“With more Greens in Parliament, we can fight for free, universal and high-quality early childhood education.”

The plan will also see households and businesses with solar supported to install battery
storage.

With the climate crisis leading to increasing climate disasters around the country including
more intense cyclones and devastating fires and floods, the government should be doing all
it can to reduce emissions.

The Greens say supporting people to electrify their homes is one of the cheapest ways to
reduce emissions and would bring the greatest benefits to households.

Under the Parliamentary Budget Office-costed plan, households and small businesses would
receive financial assistance to disconnect from gas appliances and install electric
alternatives.

Households would be able to access a grant of up to $10,000 and low-interest loan of up to
$20,000 to install eligible technologies such as induction cooktops and heat pumps, while
small businesses would be offered grants of up to $25,000 and low-interest loans of up to
$100,000.

Similar financial assistance would be offered to install battery storage as well, to maximise
the benefits of rooftops solar.

Households would be able to access grants of up to $5,000 and low-interest loans of up to
$10,000 to install household storage technology, while small businesses would be offered
grants of up to $10,000 and low-interest loans of up to $50,000.

Over the forward estimates, helping households and small businesses get off gas would cost
$5.1b, and support for households to install batteries will cost $2b, and support for small
businesses to install batteries will cost $1b.

Gas is as dirty as coal – non-renewable, unsustainable, and damaging to our health and the
environment. Household gas is responsible for 12 per cent of childhood asthma while
costing significantly more than renewable alternatives.

Meanwhile, upfront financial costs are a clear barrier to rooftop solar and storage uptake,
with a 2019 study showing over 35 per cent of people without solar said they didn’t have it
because of upfront costs.

The electrification of homes and businesses coupled with future Greens announcements on
support for electric vehicles will turn homes and businesses into powerhouses.

Household electrification with solar and storage also improves energy security through
decentralising energy production and storage and reduces investment needed in the grid as
power is generated right where it is needed.

The announcement builds on $2.2 billion previously secured by the Greens in negotiations
with the government for electrification for renters, apartments and social housing.

With a minority government likely following the upcoming federal election, the Greens say
they’re ready to keep Dutton out and get Labor to act on climate and implement more of the
Greens’ electrification plan.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should have clean, cheap energy. The Greens want
to turn every house into a powerhouse.

“Getting homes off gas reduces pollution and helps bring down energy bills. It’s good for your
health and it’s good for the environment.

“We will electrify our homes and businesses and energise our country, leading to greater
safety and prosperity.

“This election, there is hope. The Greens are within reach of winning new seats across the
country. With a minority government predicted, the Greens will keep Dutton out and get
Labor to act.”