30 March 2010
ACOSS welcomes today’s announcement of the Prime Minister’s Task Group on Energy Efficiency as a significant step forward to coordinate action and strengthen Australia’s energy future.
“With energy prices rising by over 20% around the country last year, Australians on fixed and low incomes have been hit hard,” said Clare Martin, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service.
“Improved household energy efficiency means lower consumption and lower bills for these essential services. With the cost of electricity and gas predicted to double over the next five years, low-income households will struggle to keep up.
“ACOSS congratulates the Government for prioritising energy efficiency as a way to lower energy bills and carbon pollution and improve health and wellbeing.
“We welcome the opportunities for economic and community development that flow from this nationwide project. We support efforts to build industry and employment in areas that promote energy efficiency and ease the transition to low carbon futures. “
ACOSS will advise the Task Group on household energy efficiency measures. Our work in the National Energy Market shows there are considerable efficiency gains to be made across the industry.
A step-change is achievable if generators, networks and retailers work with consumers. We look forward to working with energy companies and others towards concrete outcomes.
ACOSS continues to work in partnership with a range of organisations to promote energy efficiency and appropriate responses to climate change. With Choice and the Australian Conservation Foundation we produced a research report detailing the potential for and benefits of better residential energy efficiency: Energy & equity: Preparing households for climate change: efficiency, equity, immediacy.
Media Contact: Clare Cameron, ACOSS – 0419 626 155