Today an alliance of health and equity organisations, healthcare workers, and community advocates will gather on Parliament Steps to deliver a letter to Premier Jacinta Allan that calls for her government to safeguard vulnerable Victorians from the health risks and rising costs of gas.
In the open letter signed by fifteen organisations, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Asthma Australia, and the Australian Federation of Medical Women, along with numerous health workers, they urge the Government to act now to protect public health. In addition to the Premier, the letter has been copied-in to Ministers Lily D’Ambrosio, Mary-Anne Thomas and Harriet Shing.
In September, Premier Allan announced that gas cook-tops in homes would “not be impacted” by the Building Legislation Amendment and Other Matters Bill 2024, raising concerns about the Government’s plan to support households to disconnect from the increasingly expensive, toxic gas network.
Evidence clearly shows that gas cook-tops in homes pose significant health risks:
-
Asthma: Gas cook-tops increase the likelihood of children developing asthma by around 30%, comparable to exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke.
-
Leukaemia: Burning gas releases benzene, a toxin known to increase risk of leukaemia.
-
Climate impacts: Gas combustion contributes to climate change, which is increasingly recognised as a public health emergency. Between 2006 and 2017 an estimated 36,000 people in Australia died as a result of exposure to high temperatures.
Dr Aadhil Aziz, Council Member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Victoria Council, said “The RACGP supports this call to safeguard Victorians from the health impacts of gas cook-tops in homes. We know gas cook-tops pose significant health risks – they increase the risk of leukaemia due to dangerous toxins, and children developing asthma, as well as contributing to climate change which is a global public health emergency. We need to support everyone to make the transition, including renters and people on low incomes.”
Amanda Bresnan, Asthma Australia’s Advocacy and Government Relations Manager said "Pollution from gas cook-tops is an invisible but common trigger for both adults and kids with asthma, causing inflammation in the airways and worsening asthma symptoms. We are very concerned that people in Victoria will continue to be exposed to the damaging health impacts of gas cook-tops and we must ensure they are phased out or not installed in homes."
Dr Harry Jennens, general practitioner and Co-Founder of Healthy Futures, said “We are particularly concerned about people on low incomes who might struggle to afford to retrofit their homes, and renters who have less control over their living circumstances. Besides the health risks, these people are likely to face increasing gas supply charges as other people switch to electricity and leave the gas network. Renters and people on low incomes should not be left behind on an increasingly expensive and toxic energy source.”
The open letter urges the Victorian Government to implement an Equitable Electrification Program, which would provide greater financial assistance and rebates for households to replace gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives like induction cook-tops. Currently, rebates cover just $140—a fraction of the cost of even a basic induction cook-top, leaving many unable to make the switch.
This coalition is calling on the Premier to take decisive action: prioritise public health, protect the most vulnerable, and support a just transition away from gas for all Victorians.
Action Details
Where: Victorian Parliament Steps, Spring St Melbourne
When: Today (Thu 28/11/24) 8.30am - 9.30am
What: Healthcare workers gather on the Victorian Parliament Steps to call on the Premier to protect Victorians from health and equity risks of gas in homes
Visuals: Healthcare workers in professional dress on Parliament steps with a “Gas-Free Healthy Homes” banner and placards with logos of 15 organisations
Open Letter to Premier Allan (signed by fifteen organisations): www.healthyfutures.net.au/vicgas
Images and video will be available on the day
Available for interview:
-
Dr Aadhil Aziz, Royal Australian College of GPs Victorian Branch Councillor
-
Dr Christopher Pearce, GP and Board Member of Asthma Australia
-
Dr Harry Jennens, GP and Co-Founder of Healthy Futures
Key Facts:
-
Asthma: Gas cooktops increase the likelihood of children developing asthma by around 30%, comparable to exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke.
-
Leukaemia: Burning gas releases benzene, a toxin known to increase risk of leukaemia.
-
Climate impacts: Gas combustion contributes to climate change, which is increasingly recognized as a public health emergency. Between 2006 and 2017 an estimated 36,000 people in Australia died as a result of exposure to high temperatures.
- Vulnerable Victorians exposed: people living in social housing, renters and those on low incomes are unable to transition from gas cook-tops. This leaves them exposed to expensive, toxic gas and rising supply charges for much longer than other residents.
About us:
Healthy Futures is campaigning for a world where communities can thrive with clean air, clean energy and a safe and safe climate. We are a not-for-profit organisation that engages and empowers health professionals, students and community members to protect health by reducing pollution and addressing climate change.
Contact details:
Ari Pickering
Healthy Futures
Victorian Gas Campaigner
0466 829 599
