ENERGY PRICES

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Can the minister inform the house about steps the government is taking to help households with rising energy costs?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:46): One of the government's key priority areas is an affordable place to live for all South Australians. Rising energy prices are placing increased burdens on household budgets, and the government is acting decisively to minimise the impacts as much as we possibly can. One of the ways that we mitigate the effects is to better inform people about their electricity use, with a particular focus on how to maximise the energy efficiency of common household appliances.

Last week, the government approved a review of the government's Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES). The scheme is aimed at reducing the amount of energy people use around the house without significantly compromising their lifestyle. For example, in the member for Norwood's house it would be the blow-dryer, making sure the blow-dryer is energy efficient, plugged in and turned off appropriately and, of course, having a star rating as high as possible.

Under the REES all of the state's large energy retailers are obliged to achieve residential energy efficiency targets each year, with a strong focus on assisting lower income households. REES was launched in 2009, and I am advised that since then it has delivered more than $107 million of net benefits to more than 165,000 South Australian households. I am further advised that a total of 207,887 energy efficiency activities were undertaken, delivering an abatement of over 600,000 tonnes of CO₂, with installation of energy-efficient lighting representing the largest contributor to the target.

Other energy efficient activities include installing such things as energy-saving power boards and energy-efficient showerheads and, of course, these items are generally supplied free of charge by individual retailers. I am advised that a total of 13,000 energy audits were undertaken by REES stage 1. This is 527 audits more than the target required, but, Madam Speaker, you will be happy to hear that the number of activities delivered in regional and remote parts of South Australia increased over the first three years, rising to over 20 per cent of all activities delivered in 2011.

This scheme was originally designed to operate for six years until 31 December 2014. I have asked my department to undertake a review and to report back to me by mid-2013. The scheme is targeted at low income people such as pensioners and healthcare cardholders who cannot afford to buy the expensive energy efficient equipment. Anyone who wishes to inquire can contact either the scheme or their local member of parliament, who will pass them on. I encourage all members of parliament in the house to make this available to their constituents through any newsletters that they distribute.

The REES issues paper was released last week and seeks feedback from those who have used the scheme and asks how it might be improved or expanded to new areas. An issues paper is available for public submissions at the DMITRE website. The government will continue to act within its powers to ensure both a healthy and efficient retail energy market but also to ensure that South Australian household power bills are minimised as much as we possibly can.