Electrification and Gas in the West

28 October 2024

In the West Australian on the weekend the front page was an article by Jessica Page: WA Council of Social Services pushes gas ban plan | The West Australian

Here it is full for those of you without a subscription. My response will be in the next post:

“WA Council of Social Services pushes gas ban plan”

The State’s peak body for social services is pushing for a ban on gas in new homes, even as it acknowledged a cost of living crisis is pushing WA families to the brink.

The proposal by the Western Australian Council of Social Services — which claims electrification would be cheaper in the long run — recommended a ban on new connections and a roadmap for established homes, warning that gas stovetops have been linked to childhood asthma.

It rejected claims cutting off gas would further stretch household budgets. However, that idea was swiftly shot down by Premier Roger Cook, who said a ban would force households to pay more for energy and the Government to keep burning coal.

“Which my Government simply won’t do,” Mr Cook added.

“Anyone who is serious about keeping household bills affordable in WA knows we will need gas in our energy mix for years to come.

“Our plan will keep household bills affordable and our energy system reliable.”

Premier Roger Cook at a press conference to open new Ruah support centre for women and children.

Premier Roger Cook. Credit: Riley Churchman/The West Australian

The WACOSS budget submission to the Cook Government said families are having to decide between paying bills to stay warm and buying food or keeping up with rent.

“We want Government to have that aspiration (towards electrification) and work towards it,” WACOSS chief executive Louise Giolitto said.

“And there is none at the moment.”

Gas cooktops were excluded from Victoria’s new gas ban in September, after claims the cost of converting appliances would be passed on to renters.

But WACOSS said modelling shows it is cheaper in the long run to switch to electric.

“It’s cheaper to have a fully electric home with high-quality electrical appliances overall,” senior policy officer Sophie Hantz said.

“If people have both gas and electricity, they’re paying two lots of supply charges which can make up the majority of the bill each time.”

WACOSS also recommended a ban on advertising gas and other “unhealthy products”, including gambling and junk food, on state-owned assets like public transport.

“WA should not condone and promote activities that harm our children and citizens and cost the public purse,” the report said.

Shadow Energy Minister Steve Thomas warned a new-look Legislative Council could put pressure on Labor, after the March state election.

“The Greens take hatred of gas to a pathological level,” he said.

“And pressure will come on the Government if they hold the balance of power in the Upper House. “With people struggling to pay their bills, I don’t think this is a priority.”

Premier Roger Cook appears to have cooled on the prospect of allowing the export of onshore gas.

Greens MLC Brad Pettitt led a motion in State Parliament on Thursday, urging the Government to “do more” to support the transition to energy-efficient housing.

“The evidence is pretty straightforward,” he said.

“Gas in our homes is not good for our health.

“We get a win-win as we electrify homes and move to more sustainable, energy-efficient ones.”

On Friday, he backed the WACOSS push and said the Government should step in to offer low or zero-interest loans to cover household costs.

“WA is probably never going to ban gas,” Mr Pettitt said.

“Electrification is the long-term solution for cost of living, it will do far more than electricity rebates.”

The Australian Energy Market Operator said household consumption accounts for less than 3 per cent of gas use in WA.

“Calls to ban gas connections ignore the long-term role of gas in supporting the energy transition,” said WA Director Caroline Cherry.

The Housing Industry Association said the cost of provision in new housing is minimal.

“HIA continues to support consumers having a choice about how they want to power their homes rather than having policies or mandates that would preference one fuel source over another,” said Executive Director Michael McGowan.

WACOSS said its budget pitch is centred around “healthier” community and better-targeted Government help.