The gas industry have successfully resisted moves to regulate them and the gas appliance industry has never been willing to work constructively with government, and it is their customers who lose out. This briefing paper covers: how the gas lobby operates to the detriment of Victorians and blocked regulation of its products, how gas appliances measure up to electric alternatives and the health impacts of gas stoves and cooktops. It also argues that the public is paying for gas infrastructure and the gas industry's PR. 

In Australia, electric appliances, but not gas appliances, are subject to a continually improving efficiency program. It’s extremely effective – the latest review of the program found that it saves the average Australian household between $140 and $220 off their energy bill each year and contributes between 9% and 15% toward our national emissions reduction targets. The cost to run a household refrigerator/ freezer has plummeted by nearly half since Australia decided to follow US efficiency standards for these products back in 1999.

But for gas appliances, it’s a very different story.