Moreland Energy Foundation

The new Baillieu Government has abandoned the former Government's Victorian Transport Plan, according to a report today in The Age.  According to the new Planning Minister, Terry Mulder, the Government will review all projects under the plan, including the controversial Footscray to Caulfield rail tunnel.

The election is won, and it seems anger over rising energy prices was at least in part responsible for the swing against the Brumby Goverment.  Victoria's new Premier, Ted Baillieu, promised to act on 'cost of living' issues, including rising household bills (see previous blog post), but will he be able to deliver?

What's driving prices up?

There are numerous explanations for increasing energy costs, many of which were obscured during the election campaign.

Ted Baillieu is Victoria's new Premier today, after John Brumby conceded that Labor will be unable to hold on to power. Mr Bailleu has indicated that he will not be making changes to his front bench, which means the new Ministers who MEFL will be working with are likely to be:

• Energy: Michael O'Brien;
• Environment: Mary Wooldridge [NB: the full Cabinet has now been announced, and Peter Ryan is the Minister for Environment and Climate Change];
• Transport: Terry Mulder;
• Planning: Matthew Guy.

Another election, another uncertain result.  As of this morning, neither major party has claimed victory, with the outcome hanging on a single seat, the south-eastern suburban seat of Bentleigh.  This morning the Age was reporting that the Coalition were ahead by around 400 votes, with counting still continuing.

With two other Labor seats - Ballarat East and Eltham - even tighter than Bentleigh, and the Coalition only needing to pick up one of the three to form government, the likelihood of a Coalition victory is increasing by the hour.

On the final day before the election, with polls showing the two major parties neck and neck, power bills continue to receive media attention, with the Herald Sun suggesting that power bills will rise by another 10 percent next year (see article).  Both major parties have responded to concerns about rising electricity costs by announcing measures to address the bill burden on vulnerable households.

Transport has received a great deal of attention in this election campaign.  It is clear that road congestion, clearways, myki, public transport infrastructure, train and tram delays and the level of investment in transport alternatives like cycling are important issues for many voters, and the parties have been working hard to win these voters over.

The Coalition released its energy and resources policy yesterday.  Its key energy-related media release focused on the smart meters currently being installed under the State Government rollout program, and promised to immediately review the viability of the scheme and to:

• reconsider the technology and cost recovery rules;
• review the governance and implementation of the program to date; and
• regulate the use of information gathered from smart meters to ensure privacy for consumers.

Less than a week out from the election and a few climate related policies have begun to trickle out.