Plan to electrify low-income housing welcome

The St Vincent de Paul Society welcomes the agreement by the Albanese Government and the Greens for next year’s budget to include a package to help electrify the homes of low-income people.

‘This package will help low-income people and renters improve the energy efficiency of their homes and lower their utility bills by moving from gas to electricity,’ National President Claire Victory said.

‘Energy costs are a critical economic and health issue for low-income Australians, who are often forced to accept housing with little or no insulation and in which heating and cooling, where it exists, is inefficient and expensive.

‘This pushes low-income Australians further into poverty and can have a significant impact on their health and wellbeing.

The Society welcomes the Government’s commitment to include this package in its National Performance Strategy and to examine additional measures to assist people on low incomes to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, lower their energy bills and improve their health outcomes,’ Ms Victory said.