MEDIA BRIEFING: DOWN TO THE WIRE: ENERGY POLICIES AT THE VICTORIAN ELECTION
Co-hosted by the Smart Energy Council and the Climate Media Centre
Cost of living is a central issue of this election campaign. A briefing for journalists on what the energy policies on offer actually mean for household and business budgets, and for Victorian’s exposure to volatile global prices.
WHEN: Monday 9 November 2026
TIME: 10:00 – 10:45 AEDT
FORMAT: Online, 30 min + 15 min Q&A
REGISTER: Register via this link – registration essential. After registering you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
Victorians go to the polls in less than four weeks, and energy policy is being argued in cost-of-living terms. This briefing will cover how much of a Victorian household's or business’s energy bill is set in Victoria, and how much is set by global markets. Gas and oil prices move with events over which we have no control in Melbourne, Horsham or Ballarat. Solar, wind and batteries put Victorians back in control.
What we’ll cover:
Gas: What the evidence says about how little viable gas is left in Victoria, posing the question whether a Coalition government would seek to overturn the ban on fracking.
Electrifying: What Victorian households and businesses have already saved by electrifying, and how the switch plays out on the energy bills of Victorian businesses.
SPEAKERS:
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Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute – on why gas is a fuel in transition rather than a transition fuel, and what that means for Victorian households still connected to it.
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Jay Gordon, Energy Finance Analyst, IEEFA – on new analysis showing electrification has saved Victorians $185 million over three years.
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Peter Mulheron, dairy farmer, south-west Victoria – on cutting his power costs for his milking shed with solar and a battery on wheels.
Moderator: Tim Lamacraft, Smart Energy Council
On the record and quotable unless a speaker states otherwise. Recording and transcript to registrants afterwards. All speakers available for one-on-one interviews.
All registrants will also receive new Energy Briefing papers prepared by Naru Research for Environment Victoria showing the impacts of gas, coal and nuclear on Victoria's energy bills and security.
Register to attend: Register via this link.
Enquiries: Gabrielle Platt on 0493 442 307 or via gabrielle.platt@
Contact details:
Enquiries: Gabrielle Platt on 0493 442 307 or via gabrielle.platt@