Labor’s gas announcement a political con job

The Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has condemned the Allan Labor Government’s latest gas announcement as nothing more than a desperate political con job.

“This is not a backflip, it’s a con job,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Labor’s announcement is a tactical retreat to ease political pressure, not a genuine change in direction.”

Despite the government claiming to soften its stance, the core of Labor’s anti-gas agenda remains untouched.

The gas ban is still set to go ahead for all new builds, and from 2026, households will be forced to replace failed gas hot water systems with electric appliances, regardless of cost or practicality.

“Labor’s con job continues to punish families, renters and businesses, especially in regional areas where gas remains a reliable and affordable energy option,” Mr McCurdy said.

“This so-called concession doesn’t go far enough and will still drive-up costs in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.”

Mr McCurdy said the policy shift was clearly designed to manage media optics rather than address the real concerns of Victorian households.

“Labor has bungled the energy transition from day one. This latest move is about headlines, not households,” he said.

“The Nationals will continue to stand up for energy choice, affordability and reliability, because Victorians deserve better than ideological mandates dressed up as reform.”

Labor can't manage energy, and regional Victorians are paying the price.