Episode Details

Gas prices are rising as global conflicts tighten supply and expose Australian households to volatile international markets. But millions of renters remain locked into using gas, even though cheaper electric alternatives like heat pump hot water systems are easily available. The barrier is a split incentive - landlords pay for appliances that tenants have to use. Harry Barber from Electrify Yarra is calling on the Treasurer to use the upcoming budget to fix that, by extending instant tax write-offs to landlords for heat pump installations. He argues this would bring landlords into line with small businesses and unlock investment in rental properties. Without that signal in the budget, the shift to cheaper, cleaner energy risks leaving renters behind as the energy transition ramps up.