GEMS review underway

The Turnbull government is undertaking the first-ever review of the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012. The review will allow the government to set uniform, national energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment.

The review will include consultation with a range of stakeholders, including industry and consumer groups as well as state, territory and New Zealand governments.

“To date, standards under the GEMS Act have saved the average household between $140 and $220 on their electricity bill each year,” said Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg.

In 2016, the net benefit to the economy was in the range of $870 million to $1.58 billion, with greenhouse gas emissions savings of between 4.5 and 6.9 mega tonnes, equivalent to half of Queensland’s total household emissions, Frydenberg said in a statement.

“From 2015 to 2020, the GEMS Act is estimated to reduce Australia’s emissions by at least 27 mega tonnes. That’s the same as taking over eight million cars off the road for a year.”

The statutory review is an important part of continuous improvement to ensure the GEMS Act remains appropriate and effective, said Frydenberg.

“It is an excellent opportunity to reflect on changing appliance and equipment use, emerging technologies, the increasing connectedness of appliances and international best practice,” said Frydenberg.

The review will be conducted by Anna Collyer, a partner and head of innovation at law firm Allens.

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