Mel Yuan for Brunswick

The Power Saving Bonus should be retained and expanded, and other subsidy programs scrapped. Reduce the cost of administering the patchwork of schemes and deliver relief directly to people who need it.

Cost of living is the key issue in this election. Inflation is rising, exacerbated by the current spike in petroleum prices due to the US war against Iran. The rise in petroleum costs will be seen directly in energy costs, petrochemical byproducts and in all goods & services that need transport (including people).

The state government has to balance direct relief for householders against an ever-increasing and complex web of rebates and transfers.

Households and businesses transferring to electric cars, solar panels, and other lower-carbon or renewable energy sources is the result of a combination of factors, including:

• consumer awareness
• falling prices for key technologies, and
• government assistance

Now is the time to wind back non-critical assistance to reduce complexity and distortions in the energy market. International volatility and the fundamental changes in energy demand and supply make these ad-hoc rebates and transfers inefficient. Instead, energy subsidies should be direct means-tested transfers to households that need them, such as pensioners and other concession card holders.

While I am fully committed to a more energy-efficient future, the government should put its focus on support for low-income households and scrap:

• Rebates for energy-efficient appliances
• Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program
• Renewable and clean energy funding
• Re-direct funds for “Good Money” and Mortgage Stress Victoria into the Power Saving Bonus expanded scheme
• Other state-regulated environmental charges on energy providers

Decarbonisation, renewables and energy efficiency now stand on their own two feet as a core concern of households, businesses and a plethora of other government schemes. Easing the cost of living should be the priority over “nickel & dime” government hand-outs.