Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull is pleased to share the Liberal and Nationals real solutions towards tackling the power crisis and cost of living challenges, facing Victorians in the coming years.
“The Liberals and Nationals have a swathe of innovative sustainable and environmental policies to support the reduction of emissions and transition towards cleaner and greener energy sources, should we successfully be elected to form Government this November,” said Mr Bull.
“At the top of the list we have committed to legislate a 50% emission target by 2030 which will support the existing Victorian legislated commitment of net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Our Power to the People package includes up to $4,400 of solar rebates for one million households to encourage the take up the solar. This includes a rebate of $1,400 towards the installation of solar panel in addition to providing a $3,000 subsidy towards the cost of a home battery.
“We will also add solar panels across public infrastructure, leading with government schools, which I know is high on the priority list for a number of schools in Gippsland East.
“Our Fixing Victoria’s Grid initiative will unlock renewable energy by upgrading transmission infrastructure in Western Victoria, reserving new natural gas resources for domestic use while maintaining the ban on fracking, and legislate a local gas guarantee for a new supply.
“Natural gas is a reliable energy source for Victorians and this plan reserves continued supply for domestic use while putting downward pressure on energy prices.
“We have also committed to partner with industry to develop a plan to modernise our transmission system to ensure renewable supplies can be fed into the grid.
“A $1 billion Victorian Hydrogen Strategy will also be established, which will support research, development and adoption of clean hydrogen technologies.
“Our Zero to landfill policy transforms waste management in Victoria by committing to zero household waste to landfill by 2035. In a four step plan the Liberals and Nationals will:
1. Work with industry and councils to achieve a:
• 33% reduction of household waste going to landfill by 2025;
• 66% reduction of household waste going to landfill by 2030; and
• 100% reduction of household waste going to landfill by 2035
2. Commit $120 million (over four years) from the Sustainability Fund to create a
Zero to Landfill Fund with two streams:
• A ‘Recycling Futures Stream’ to upgrade recycling technology, standards, rules and facilities and partner with local councils; and
• An ‘Energy-from-Waste Stream’ to deliver projects that recover energy from non-recyclable waste.
3. Commit State Government departments to work with industry to expedite approvals to get Victoria’s waste management and recycling back on track as quickly as possible.
4. Require State Government agencies (such as Parks Victoria and the Victorian School Building Authority) to prioritise fully recycled plastic products as part of their purchasing policies.
“Adopting a waste to energy resource will divert waste from Victorian landfill sites, incorporating cutting edge energy from-waste facilities commonly used across Europe. There is an appetite for this technology in Australia and become a clean, green baseload energy supply without the constraints of solar and wind generation.
“The Zero to Landfill policy will also incentivise our recycling industry to develop new and upgraded facilities, support the research, development and commercialisation of innovative technologies.
“We will also introduce a new cash for containers program for recyclable drink containers, and modernise recycling standards and rules and importantly divert additional waste from landfill, and produce materials with higher levels of purity for use by local industry.
“Providing real solutions for cheaper and greener transport for Victorians, a Liberal and Nationals Government will pause the current Electric Vehicle (EV) Tax and establish 600 new charging stations across the state as part of our Long-Term Economic Plan for Victoria which will save EV and hydrogen vehicle drivers between $300- $380 per year.
“By increasing the availability of charging stations, we will remove one of the barriers that stop people from buying an electric vehicle, unlocking the hip-pocket savings and emissions reductions and helping them hit the road and boost domestic travel.
“To encourage Victorians to utilise public transport options where possible and make travel more accessible, the Liberal and Nationals have committed to halving V/Line travel fares and introduce a flat fare of $2 (and $1 for concession) on local buses and city trams and trains for the next four years,” Mr Bull said.
