Election result proves renewables popular, so let’s get on with it
The election result is another clear proof point that Australians overwhelmingly support the shift to renewable energy as a solution to the cost of living crisis.
The new Parliament must now come together to build on the momentum already underway, with an immediate focus on ensuring that all households — especially renters, — can benefit from cost of living solutions through clean energy upgrades in the home.
This remains a key priority for Renew Australia for All — a broad alliance of more than 70 organisations from social services, unions, faith communities, multicultural groups, environmental organisations, and clean industry.
Renew Australia for All will also continue to urge the Federal Opposition to abandon its nuclear energy proposal and back the shift to clean energy. This proposal would delay the shift to clean energy and is too expensive, too risky, and too slow to meet the needs of families, workers, communities, and the climate.
Tonight’s outcome reinforces what public polling has shown for months: Australians strongly support renewables and expect their governments to get on with making the shift to clean energy work for everyone.
- Between Renew Australia for All’s public launch in September 2024 and March this year, our tracking polling has consistently found that over 70% of respondents believed renewable energy solutions — such as rooftop and utility-scale solar and battery storage — would reduce energy bills faster than nuclear (15%).
- SEC Newgate polling released last week highlighted that 72% of respondents supported Labor’s $2.3 billion household energy package, making it the most popular energy policy of the campaign. In contrast, only 30% supported the Coalition’s plan to build seven nuclear reactors across the country.
The top priority for the new government should now be to swiftly implement policies and investments that expand on the battery pledge and existing renewable access programs — ensuring that everyone, including renters, apartment dwellers, and low-income households, can share in the savings already enjoyed by over 4 million households with rooftop solar.
Research from Renew Australia for All shows that if every household in Australia were able to access efficient and electric upgrades, as well as solar and batteries, the total national savings would amount to $23.6 billion annually.
Renew Australia for All analysis shows that households could save an average of $3,039 per year with basic energy efficiency upgrades combined with solar and battery storage. If the government supported home energy upgrades, Australia could collectively save $23.6 billion per year.
Devett Kennedy, Lead Organiser of Queensland Community Alliance
“We’ve been listening to communities in the outer suburbs of South East Queensland, and they have shown they want their fair share of the benefits of household renewables. They want the cost savings and they want a safer future. They clearly do not want the expensive delays of a nuclear plan that was supposedly targeted to them.”