The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s (DEECA) energy output has had its funding slashed from an expected funding outcome in 2023-24 of $482.2 million and actual funding in 2022-23 of $1.135.5 billion to target funding of $261.7 million in 2024-25.
DEECA’s energy output “advocates for the provision of reliable, sustainable and affordable energy services through energy programs, including renewable energy development, energy efficiency and affordability improvements, and facilitation of new investment”.
Key programs, like the neighbourhood battery program and the Victorian energy efficiency certificate program are in chaos – with no batteries installed and the energy efficiency certificates (each representing one tonne of greenhouse gas avoided) down by almost half over two years.
Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security, David Davis, said: “While earlier years’ funding included things like the power saving bonus and SEC setup costs, it is clear Jacinta Allan and Tim Pallas have jammed the brakes on future energy initiatives.
“With this year’s funding just 54 percent of last year and 23 percent of the year before, the energy portfolio has been substantially defunded with energy initiatives now clearly taking a back seat in the Allan Labor Government.”
“As debt hits a record high, there will be zero state government assistance with Victorians’ rising energy bills during a cost-of-living crisis that has seen electricity bills increase by 28 per cent over the last year and gas bill increase by 22 per cent.”
