Regions miss out on energy rebates, says Walsh

MEMBER for Murray Plains Peter Walsh says constituents want to access the government’s heating and cooling rebates but can’t “because they live in regional Victoria”.

“The most recent complaint I received is consistent with all the others,” Mr Walsh told Parliament.

“The recommended websites never respond.

“The 13 pages of authorising stores do not specify the areas they cover, and when you contact them they all respond with, ‘Can’t help you, you live too far away’ – in other words, you do not live in Melbourne so you do not matter.”

Mr Walsh said the rebate made a “big difference”.

“The rebate may be only a few hundred dollars, but for many people, including our senior citizens, the money can make a big difference to whether they are comfortable in their own homes or not,” he said.

“Could the minister advise me how regional Victorians can actually access the reality of these alleged rebates instead of once again being treated as second-class citizens in their own state.”

The Victorian Energy Upgrades program helps Victorians reduce their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions by providing access to discounted energy efficient product and services.

Accredited persons that carry out upgrade activities by installing energy-efficient products in residential or non-residential premises can create Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates.

Responding to Mr Walsh last week, Energy and Resources Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, said the VEU program has achieved “representative uptake” in regional Victoria, with households and businesses accounting for 29 per cent of total upgrades since the program’s inception.

“In total, there have been over 140,000 VEU activities in the Loddon Mallee region,” she said.

“As the supply chain matures, I expect to see heating and cooling upgrades increase further in regional Victoria.

“Since 2009, the VEU program has supported over 2.4 million households to upgrade their appliances and equipment.

“Since the heating and cooling activity was introduced in 2023 there have been 7557 space heating and cooling upgrades in regional Victorian households.

“The VEU program is a market-based program that provides financial discounts for accredited providers to undertake energy efficiency upgrades in Victorian households and businesses.

“Not all accredited providers on the Essential Services Commission’s VEU Register of Accredited Persons will necessarily be offering all products in all areas.”

Accredited providers participation in the VEU program is voluntary.

To date, 55 accredited providers have delivered 2367 heating and cooling upgrades, installed by more than 600 plumbing and electrical companies, in the Loddon Mallee region alone.

“It is also possible for heating and cooling businesses and qualified tradespeople in regional Victoria to engage the services of an accredited provider to facilitate a discount for their customers,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“Under this scenario, an accredited provider submits the required documentation and evidence on behalf of an installer.

“The VEU program is engaging with the heating and cooling supply chain to further promote the use of this participation option.”