An extra $1.3bn to upgrade Australia's energy inefficient homes might not do much - here's what would help | Tristan Edis

Taking on vested interests and mandating housing energy ratings and minimum standards are far more important stepsGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastIn the recent federal budget it was announced $1bn would be allocated to provide discounted loans to households to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes and replace gas appliances with electric ones. A further $300m was provided for states to upgrade the energy efficiency of social housing.This was intended to deliver on a promise the Albanese Labor government gave in exchange for the Greens party agreeing to caps on the price of gas - in effect subsidising its cost below international prices.Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...