Portfolio — 1 August 2026

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy announced a $150 million expansion of the ANZ Energy Efficient Asset Finance Program, extending discounted finance to small and medium-sized businesses investing in energy-saving technologies [TA-260731-climat-bbd3a3c16b0c]. The expanded partnership delivers a total discount of 0.8 per cent per annum, split equally between ANZ and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, each contributing 0.4 per cent per annum to lower the upfront cost barrier for rooftop solar, battery storage, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient equipment [TA-260731-climat-bbd3a3c16b0c].

Since the program launched in 2017, more than 1,600 Australian businesses have drawn on over $444 million in discounted finance, including over $90 million in the last financial year alone [TA-260731-climat-bbd3a3c16b0c].

The announcement was made jointly with the Minister for Small Business, positioning the measure at the intersection of energy policy and business productivity. The portfolio frames affordable finance as a lever to unlock private investment that simultaneously reduces operating costs, lifts productivity, and accelerates the transition to renewable energy and electrification for Australian businesses [TA-260731-climat-bbd3a3c16b0c].

Today's announcement extends the government's affordability strategy through direct investment support for business efficiency, following the portfolio's recent focus on expanding fuel stockpiles and reducing wholesale electricity costs [TA-260731-climat-bbd3a3c16b0c]. The sequencing is deliberate: after addressing supply-side pressures on energy costs, the minister is now turning to demand-side measures that help businesses reduce their own energy consumption and emissions footprint.

No parliamentary sitting coincided with this announcement, so the record is limited to the media release stream.