Wednesday, 29 November 2023

State Electricity Commission

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:29): (380) My question is to the Minister for Housing. Minister, does the new SEC’s remit include the provision of electricity through the government-owned body to public housing tenants?

The PRESIDENT: Mr Davis, do you mind repeating that question?

David DAVIS: The question is: does the new SEC’s remit include the provision of electricity through the government-owned body to public housing tenants?

The PRESIDENT: Mr Davis, I am really struggling with where that would be relevant to this minister’s responsibilities under the general orders. I will give you an opportunity, if you like, to redirect it, because I think it would obviously be more appropriate for the minister for energy, or if you would like to rephrase it then it could be possibly under this minister’s remit.

David DAVIS: Let me ask it in a different way. Will public housing tenants have full choice in electricity provider, or will the SEC be mandated?

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:31): All right. We got there in the end, Mr Davis, and I am pleased that you have finally joined the party as it relates to renewable energy in public housing. In fact, it was just last week that I visited the Dunlop Avenue development in Ascot Vale. This is one development where again we have got a really unique provision of renewable energy. In partnership with the Energy On group, we have seen the contract being signed to deliver renewable energy to residents in a way that makes sure that they save hundreds of dollars below the Victorian default –

Members interjecting.

Harriet SHING: I have got 2 minutes and 15 seconds, Mr Davis.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, it was a very simple, narrow question: will public housing tenants have full choice, or will it be mandated through the SEC?

The PRESIDENT: I think the minister was relevant to the question.

Harriet SHING: Mr Davis, if it was such a simple question, you would not have required three cracks to get it right. Let us keep going in terms of a bit of context for you. Energy On, which is in the process of providing renewable energy across a number of sites, whether that is at Ashburton, at West Heidelberg, at Collingwood or at Ascot Vale, is in the process of providing residents with a range of different opportunities to save hundreds of dollars below the Victorian default offer – again, something which your mob objected to in the first instance. Mr Davis, there is a requirement in social housing developments to –

David Davis: On a point of order, President, ‘your mob’ – the member may be able to be a bit more sensible than that.

The PRESIDENT: I will call the minister back to the question.

Harriet SHING: Mr Davis, it is almost like you do not want to hear the answer. Requirements of at least 5 per cent renewable energy have meant that at Dunlop Avenue, for example, there are 405 ‍solar panels, PV panels, on the roof of this particular development. Since it was completed at the start of the year, we have seen around 70 residents move into studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. People have the option to opt out of the provision of renewable energy – again, this arrangement that means that they save hundreds of dollars every year off their bills. Let us just be, again, really clear about this. As one example, at Dunlop Avenue not one resident has sought to opt out, because of the fact that they are saving hundreds of dollars a year below the Victorian default offer.

Mr Davis, if you even had a smidge of understanding about the SEC, you would know that we are not in the business of retail. However, what I do want to make sure that you are aware of is that the Victorian default offer is already lowering the floor and that it is these sorts of arrangements and partnerships with groups like Energy On that are meaning that people can access renewable energy, that additional energy that is produced goes back into investment in social housing and that people can opt out of schemes if they so desire. We are talking about a mix of energy as we continue to work towards meeting our nation-leading net zero emissions targets, and I hope you get on board with this.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:34): A very simple question for the minister: will public housing tenants pay higher or lower electricity costs by the time of the next election than they do now?

The PRESIDENT: I was concerned putting the substantive, and I probably should have added when I called the minister that she could answer as she sees fit, because I was concerned about whether it was within her remit or not. I am not going to put that question.