A conference was in held in Canberra on September 14 to review challenges facing low income households and their difficulties in participating in energy efficiency programs.
The Low Income Energy Efficiency Conference was hosted jointly by a number of social service organisations, such as the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) and the Brotherhood of St Lawrence; low-carbon interest groups like the Clean Energy Council and the Climate Institute; and consumer bodies like Choice.
All participants saw a large role for an active Local Government in aiding the availability of energy efficient products for low-income people, which is a strong endorsement of the activities of local government on this issue in the past.
One of the key discussions centred on the access of low income households to more energy efficient, but more expensive appliances, such as fridges, clothes-dryers and televisions.
The conference heard that not enough had been done to aid households, although the low income sub program of the Low Carbon Communities program is being viewed a good test case and thee is an option to expand potentially at a later date.
The conference was a great opportunity for a wide range of interested parties to engage in discussions on an issue, which will only grow in importance.
The Australian Local Governments Association was also invited to a separate policy briefing, during which, the hosts outlined more of the detail behind their respective, but aligned policy priorities.
