‘The ultimate question for the Victorian government is, do you support choice?’: Australian Pipelines and Gas Association chief executive Steve Davies

A pro-gas campaign is taking aim at the state government’s “misinformation” and “deeply flawed facts” in a bid to stop the proposed ban.

The Allan government will be hit with an angry campaign by gas advocates and plumbers who will target up to 50,000 voters a week amid plans to rid gas from Victorian homes.

Gas advocates say the campaign, to start on Monday, will combat “misinformation” being peddled by the government. Earlier this month, the Allan government introduced legislation to parliament that would grant it the power to ban new gas connections or the installation or replacement of gas ­appliances.

But the government said it could not do that without first undertaking consultation with industry through a regulatory impact statement.

Australian Pipelines and Gas Association chief executive Steve Davies said the “Your Home, Your Choice” campaign would combat misinformation about household costs, emissions and the future of gas.

The Allan government is facing an angry campaign by gas advocates. Picture: Kelly Defina

“It is counterintuitive to delay closing coal power plants in order to deliver a gas ban that the vast majority of Victorians don’t want,” he said.

“The deeply flawed facts cited by the Victorian government to rationalise getting off gas are so unbelievable that ­experts with real-life experience are now having to correct the record with accurate information.

“The ultimate question for the Victorian government is, do you support choice?”

Thousands of plumbers will also take part in the campaign.

Australian Pipelines and Gas Association chief executive Steve Davies says the vast majority of Victorians don’t want the gas ban.

Master Plumbers chief executive Peter Daly said homeowners in the more than 80 per cent of Victorian homes connected to mains gas ­deserved the right to make ­informed choices about whether converting to all-electric homes was right in their circumstances.

“The Victorian government says that all households will save on energy bills by going all-electric, but in reality no two homes are the same,” he said.

Premier Jacinta Allan this month was accused of misleading the public after saying Victorians could “keep cooking with gas” while then introducing the laws to parliament.

The government insists gas cooktops will not be banned under the changes. Mr Daly said Victorians should ask their trusted plumber for expert advice before deciding to switch.

Opposition spokesman David Davis said the government needed to end its “ideological war on gas”.

“Jacinta Allan should reverse these extreme laws and insist on choice of home ­appliance for families,” he said.

“Victoria needs to urgently accelerate onshore, conventional gas exploration.”

A government spokeswoman said the state’s gas supply was running out and the proposed reforms would help preserve it. “While the gas lobby are focused on lifting their profits, we are focused on your power bill,” she said.