SwitchSelect

The government has a $130 million program that will help pensioners and low-income homeowners to renovate their homes into energy-efficient units.

The initiative was announced by Peter Garrett, the Environment Minister, as one way for the government to encourage the Australians’ active participation in fighting against climate change. 

Under the program, eligible householders will have free water and home energy assessments, as well as the supply of energy-saving items such as low-energy consuming light bulbs, refrigerator seals, and low-flow shower heads.

The program also includes money for the eligible householders to pay for the labour to implement energy-efficient measures that are needed for their houses.

This program is apart from the government's scheme to reduce carbon pollution.
ACOSS, a social services group approved of the initiative, but reminded the government of its commitment to ensure that low-income householders are not adversely affected by an ETS.

The cut in household assistance was one of the new amendments in the ETS thrashed out by the coalition and the government.

Ms Martin, the ACOSS boss, said that she was holding the government accountable if the poorer households end up worse under the pollution reduction scheme. 

The Bureau of Statistics says aged pensioners spend a relatively higher proportion of their incomes on energy, house repairs, and health services than those that are still currently employed.