A recently launched movement backed by dozens of organisations is continuing its push for what it says will be a fairer, better and more secure future for all Australians; one underpinned by clean, renewable energy.
While many Australian households have been able to slash their power bills through installing rooftop solar, home batteries and energy efficiency upgrades; millions are still missing out – particularly those on low incomes.
Launched in September, Renew Australia For All is spruiking a three-step plan it says will cut energy bills for good, help decarbonise the economy and create jobs.
- Cut power bills now – $5 billion invested immediately to deliver subsidies and finance to reduce or remove the upfront cost of home energy upgrades, rooftop solar and batteries for Australian households suffering the most from the cost-of-living crisis.
- Invest in an all-electric future – A further $50 billion invested over a decade to repower Australian homes and communities with rooftop PV, batteries, electric appliances and thermal upgrades.
- Share the benefits fairly – Targeted support and investment prioritising households facing the greatest struggle with high electricity bills, and protections such as minimum rental and industry labour standards.
59 organisations have gotten behind the campaign so far – a mix of social service, union, environment, faith-based, community and industry groups and organisations. As for who is leading it, the campaign website privacy policy makes mention of “other entities within The Sunrise Project network”. The Sunrise Project, a global network of independent organisations, scales social movements to drive the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
In early September, the Renew Australia For All alliance held more than 40 meetings with federal MPs and decision makers to share its plan and ask for their backing – but there’s not much written about the outcome of those meetings. Full page ads were also taken out in some newspapers announcing the campaign.
Part of the initiative has been a “listening tour” that involved 24 events in 27 locations across Australia attended by 974 people.
“People told us of grappling with inundated homes from floods, and sweltering through summer. We heard about jobs changing and communities wanting to ensure young people could be trained in new skills,” says the organisation. “But overwhelmingly people reported making difficult decisions like whether to buy groceries or keep their home warm during winter and cool over summer.”
Backing Large-Scale Renewables (In The Right Places)
The campaign isn’t just about subsidising small-scale technologies. It’s also backing rapidly building out large-scale wind and solar power supported by battery storage; but not with a “move fast and break things” approach.
“The right renewables in the right places, while protecting nature and guaranteeing local benefits.”
The campaign vision also includes resourcing Australians and their communities to better prepare, adapt and respond to the impact of more frequent severe weather, and securing Australian manufacturing and industry by seizing clean energy related opportunities.
“Our Energy Bill Savings Plan empowers every Australian to cut their energy bills, now, while securing our grid for the future,” says Renew Australia for All. “Now, we need the Federal Government to come to the table, so that no Australian gets left behind during the transition to renewable energy.”
Energy And The Upcoming Federal Election
With a federal election on the horizon and energy costs a hot-button issue, it will be interesting to see what Labor and the Coalition cook up to woo voters in terms of providing real, enduring relief during the next shift of running the country.
Polling carried out for Renew Australia For All of just over 2,000 Australians in August this year indicated 73% support renewables and batteries as the fastest way to lower power bills, compared to 16% for nuclear power stations and 8% for new coal plants. 71% supported the Australian government investing more in renewable energy.
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5 Billion here. 50 Billion there. Pretty soon it adds up to some real money.
As I’ve written on several occasions, figure out how much energy is needed on a windless night and build the necessary infrastructure.
Backing Large-Scale Renewables (In The Right Places)? And yet time and time again we see Big Solar and Big Wind moving in contrary to the interests of the locals with, as one company blatantly stated, a lot of animosity from communities that live right next door, but town support.
In the case of Victoria, so long as country not coast is making all the sacrifices and Melbourne keeps supporting wind and solar, the will of the majority who benefit, not the minority who pay the price, will reign supreme.
It’s mobocracy in action.
Other states have similar issues, with state governments based in capital metropolises overruling the interests of local communities, and councils fearful of rejecting Big Solar, Big Wind, or Big Battery, on the basis of doing what’s in the best interest of their communities lest they face state and legal action.
In the right place is the critical point, but the general rule seems to be where the ‘WE’ who matter are not negatively impacted. Heads they win, tails you’re screwed.