Media alert: Victoria's future is electric - Peak Victorian union, social service and environment groups take message to Victorian Parliament
Victorian Council of Social Service, Victorian Trades Hall Council, Environment Victoria
What: Victoria's future is electric event
Where: Knight Kerr Room at Victorian Parliament
When: Thursday 3 April, 2025 11:30am (photo op 10.30am)
The Victorian Trades Hall Council, the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS), and Environment Victoria have come together to demonstrate community support from across the union, social services, and environment movement for the benefits of electrification in Victoria.
Electrification and energy efficiency upgrades are the most effective way to reduce energy bills in Victoria (by up to 75% according to this Renew research), while creating new jobs in building trades, manufacturing and associated industries; and speeding Victoria towards meeting its emissions reduction target of 75-80% by 2035.
These findings are summarised in the briefing paper Victoria’s future is electric presenting the case that the Victorian government’s proposed electrification reforms are a vital step towards cheaper, healthier and cleaner energy for all Victorians.
Photo / TV op: At 10.30am event participants will gather on the steps of parliament for a photo op with electrification placards and banners.
Throughout the event from 11am media will be able to capture photos and video of the key speakers holding signs (optional) with electrification messaging and grabs from key speakers.
The event will provide an opportunity for workers in the industry and community members who are transitioning to electric homes to speak with the media and state Members of Parliament.
Speakers at the event will include:
Robyn Ruhl - Robyn is a mother of two and Environment Victoria volunteer living in Mt Martha in Melbourne’s SE. She electrified her home’s heating and cooking and will soon electrify their hot water system.
“Since we made the decision to turn off our gas central heating, add reverse cycle air conditioning and shifted our cooking to induction we’ve been reaping the benefits of electrification with lower energy bills - even as our family has grown in size. We want to ditch our gas hot water system too - everyone (including renters) should be given the opportunity to electrify to reduce their energy costs and help the planet.”
Quotes attributable to Joy Toose, Climate Campaign Manager, Environment Victoria:
“Victoria is running out of gas, but the solutions are right in front of us, if we only have the foresight to grab them.
“Switching out old inefficient gas appliances when they break for efficient electric ones will cut greenhouse gas emissions, indoor pollution and energy bills. Gas is a polluting fossil fuel. Recent analysis shows homes with efficient electric appliances have lower emissions than ones with gas and that will only improve as our grid continues to become renewable.”
Quotes attributable to Juanita Pope, CEO, Victorian Council of Social Service:
“Electric homes powered by renewables are better for people’s wallets, health and the climate. Research shows that an all-electric home has less than half the running costs of a fossil fuel home.
“In a global cost-of-living crisis and climate emergency, now is the time to support Victorian households to make the switch.
“We know that some Victorians – particularly low-income households and renters – will need help to manage the up-front cost of transition to electric appliances. Prioritising support for these households will mean that all Victorians can enjoy the benefits of electrification.”
Key Facts:
Background: Briefing paper - Victoria’s future is electric
About us:
Victorian Council of Social Service, Victorian Trades Hall Council and Environment Victoria are the peak bodies for hundreds of social and community services, unions and environment groups across Victoria.
Contact details:
James Norman, Environment Victoria, 0451 291 775, [email protected]
Daniel Scoullar, Victorian Council of Social Service, 0402 596 297, [email protected]