Victoria’s Liberals and Nationals have pledged to unwind the state’s gas electrification rules if they win the November election, launching a renewed campaign arguing households should retain the right to choose between gas and electricity for cooking, heating and hot water.

The Coalition says a Jess Wilson-led government would reverse Labor’s restrictions within its first 100 days, restore new gas connections for homes and businesses and seek additional conventional gas supply. The policy has become one of the clearest energy dividing lines ahead of the 28 November state election.

The opposition has also relaunched advertising against what it calls Labor’s “gas ban”, including campaigns aimed at multicultural audiences. Shadow energy spokesman David Davis argues many Victorian families, particularly those who prefer gas cooking, should not have their appliance choices dictated by government policy.

“Only a Jess Wilson-led Liberal and Nationals Government will restore consumer choice by reversing Labor’s gas ban,” Davis said.

The Coalition argues the changes could force households to spend thousands of dollars replacing appliances and upgrading electrical infrastructure, while also accusing Labor of reducing options for new homes and businesses.

However, the current rules are more limited than the opposition’s broad “gas ban” description suggests.

From 1 January 2027, all new homes and most new commercial buildings will be required to be built all-electric. Existing buildings without a gas connection will generally not be able to obtain a new connection from that date. Industrial and agricultural buildings are exempt.

From 1 March 2027, when a gas hot water system in an existing home reaches the end of its life and needs replacement, it must generally be replaced with an electric alternative. Exemptions apply where electrification is not technically feasible or would require certain major electrical upgrades.

Crucially, the government’s published rules currently say there is no requirement for existing households to replace gas cooktops or gas space heaters. Existing gas appliances can continue to be used, maintained and repaired.

That means the Coalition’s claim that Labor will “almost certainly” extend the restriction to cooktops is a political warning about what it believes could happen in future, rather than an announced government policy.

Labor has also said the current round of building electrification measures will be the final gas appliance reform in this term of government.

The government argues electrification will cut household bills, reduce emissions and preserve Victoria’s gas supply for industrial users that are harder to electrify.

State government modelling says replacing gas hot water with an efficient electric system can save around $400 a year, while a fully electric home can save about $1,900 annually, or more where rooftop solar is installed.

For new homes, the government estimates an all-electric property can save about $990 a year, increasing to around $1,920 with solar, compared with a dual-fuel home without solar.

The Coalition disputes the broader cost case.

Recent industry criticism has centred on the upfront expense of all-electric construction. Simonds Group chief executive Rhett Simonds has argued Victoria’s requirements can add as much as $15,000 to the cost of building some new homes.

Wilson has used those concerns to position the issue as one of affordability and consumer choice, arguing Victorians should be able to decide which energy source best suits their household.

The opposition has also highlighted cultural cooking preferences, saying gas remains important to many migrant and multicultural households.

The government’s regulations do not require people living in existing homes to stop cooking with gas, but future new homes covered by the January 2027 rules will generally be all-electric, meaning gas cooktops will not be installed in those properties.

The policy fight has already reached Parliament.

In August, Davis introduced the Domestic Gas Choice (Repeal of Gas Appliance Ban) Bill 2026, aimed at undoing planning and regulatory changes restricting new gas connections and appliance replacement. Davis told Parliament the bill was designed to restore household choice over cooking, heating and hot water.

The Coalition’s broader energy platform goes further.

It has promised to reopen Victoria to conventional onshore gas development, establish an Energy Security Requirement designed to encourage firm generation, including gas-fired power, and review or abandon major transmission projects including VNI West. It has also proposed urban solar parks on commercial and industrial rooftops.

Labor says that approach would undermine Victoria’s transition away from ageing coal-fired generation.

The government maintains electrification and renewable energy will help lower bills over time while reserving gas for industries that need it most. Its Gas Substitution Roadmap is part of Victoria’s broader net-zero strategy and has progressively restricted new residential gas connections since 2024.

The issue also comes against concern about future gas supply on Australia’s east coast.

Both sides agree Victoria will continue to need gas in some form for years to come, particularly for industrial use and electricity generation during periods of low renewable output. Their dispute is over how much gas households should continue using — and whether government should regulate that transition.

The Liberals and Nationals are framing the election choice simply: maintain Labor’s electrification timetable or restore the option of new household gas connections.

Labor, by contrast, argues the Coalition is defending a more expensive and emissions-intensive energy system at a time when efficient electric appliances are increasingly cheaper to run.

For Victorian households, the immediate practical position is clearer than the political rhetoric on either side.

Existing residents can continue using and repairing their current gas cooktops and heaters. From March 2027, most failed gas hot water systems will have to be replaced with electric alternatives. New homes permitted from January 2027 will generally be required to be fully electric.

Whether those rules survive beyond November will now depend on the election result.

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