The Victorian State Government has launched the Victorian Energy Policy Centre (VEPC) in Melbourne.
Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio launched the VEPC – a collaboration with Victoria University, who will contribute $480,000 towards the Centre.
“The energy debate is often dominated by vested interests – what we need is more independent, credible voices” she said.
The State Government has committed $1.75 million in funding to establish the VEPC, which will undertake research into the unique energy policy challenges Australia is facing.
The Centre will be independent of government but its research will be one of many inputs into decision-making.
Its focus will be broad, but it will concentrate on consumer protections, market trends and development of the energy industry. It will look towards building the energy systems of the future, not on propping up the failing policies of the past.
The VEPC will go beyond traditional academic approaches and will actively promote public discussion on energy issues. Research is already underway and will be ongoing for the next two years.
