Many groups from around Australia and the world support energy efficiency for rental properties. They realise that it is a sensible sollution to the problem and one that will save money, improve health, and reduce pollution.
Australian Council of Social Services, the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence, and The Climate Institute recommended in a recent report that:
"Federal government supports state and territory governments to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties in all Australian jurisdictions (with reference to local climatic conditions) to improve affordability, health and wellbeing outcomes for tenants in the poorest quality dwellings. Simultaneously the federal government reviews tax policy to ensure existing tax measures support energy efficiency upgrades."
For them, energy efficiency is a way to help low-income households cope with rising utility costs.
The Queensland Productivity Commission, in its report on electricity pricing, has argued that (emphasis added):
"The Queensland Government should investigate opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of both public and private rental housing stock, including the requirement for landlords to ensure rental housing meets minimum mandated energy efficiency standards."
Canberra Community Law (formerly Welfare Rights and Legal Centre) stated in their submission to the 2014 review of the Residential Tenancies Act that the Act should:
"...set minimum health, safety and efficiency standards to ensure that rental properties in Canberra are safe, secure, ventilated and have an affordable supply of energy for heating in winter."
The Tenants Union ACT pointed out in their submission to the same review that:
"The introduction of minimum standards which should include a requirement for minimum energy efficiency standards (e.g. adequate insulation) could have a significant impact."
Even the International Energy Agency, in its technology roadmap for energy-efficient buildings, declares that:
"Policies such as minimum energy performance standards are needed over the next 10 years to address market barriers."
The Consumer Action Law Centre, aware of how significantly electricity disconnections impact vulnerable people, reports that:
"...there must be a focus on improving the energy efficiency of households to tackle ongoing unaffordable usage. This is the most valuable and necessary intervention that can assist those consumers with maintaining affordable access to supply."