There are clear and immediate benefits for everyday Australians if the government accelerates investment in renewable energy and storage that include lower power bills, job security, more reliable energy and healthier homes. The Renew Australia for All campaign is calling on our government to ensure the transition delivers a fair go for all Australians in a zero emissions future, not just those who can afford it.

Background and context:

The Renew Australia for All campaign is a movement that brings together more than 70 environment organisations, community groups, unions, and social services (including Climate for Change!) working to push a fair and fast transition aligned with the Paris Agreement. 

We believe it is possible to transform Australia’s future into one of clean exports and manufacturing which benefits, jobs, and opportunities are shared by all. The vision is simple: a fair go for all Australians in a zero emissions future.

We know that Australia has an abundance of sun and wind just waiting to be harnessed with renewables, and we also know fossil fuels like coal and gas need to stay in the ground to avoid the worst impacts of the climate emergency. This transition is already underway; renewables now supply over 40% of electricity in Australia's two largest electricity grids, with projections of reaching around 82% by 2030 if investments continue at this pace. 

One in three Australian homes already have rooftop solar (more than 4.7 million Australian households), with the potential to generate more power than Australia’s remaining coal-fired power stations. Rooftop solar supported by batteries could save the average household more than $1,500 per year on their power bills, and helps to reduce wholesale market prices while increasing supply of emissions-free electricity for the broader community. Despite this progress, households continue to face high energy costs driven by fossil fuel volatility, while ongoing government support for coal and gas risks locking Australia into a costly and polluting energy future. 

A clean energy future can also help create social and economic justice for all. Around 7 million homes still remain without access to solar, disproportionately impacting low income earners, renters, multicultural, and First Nations households. Without targeted policy in place, the benefits of renewable energy will continue to flow unevenly. Everyone should have access to clean energy regardless of socioeconomic status or location, and everyone should share the benefits, jobs, and opportunities of a zero emission future.

Investing in renewable energy projects around the country can create safe, secure jobs that support Australian manufacturing, industry, and small businesses. Clean energy related jobs are already rapidly growing. Strategic government investment can better support renewable industries by funding education and retraining programs, and prioritising job creation - especially in communities currently dependent on fossil fuel projects, so no one is left behind in the energy transition.

Why is this important?

• A renewable energy grid reduces fossil fuel reliance and lowers energy costs, which is better for Australian households and our economy
• Investments in renewable projects can generate secure jobs and boost local economies
• Everyone, regardless of income or background, should have access to the benefits of clean energy

Desired outcomes: 

• Build an integrated national renewable energy network that simultaneously benefits nature and delivers reliable power, reduces emissions, supports healthy ecosystem and benefits to local communities
• Strengthen Australia's role as a clean energy powerhouse, securing Secure regional manufacturing and industrial jobs through renewable exports and low-emission supply chains 
• Create a generation of well-paid, safe, and secure jobs with access to training so everyone can benefit from new opportunities across the clean economy

Who to contact:

• Your local Federal MPs (check on this website if you’re unsure who that is)
• Key Federal Labor (addresses in link) including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; Treasurer Jim Chalmers; Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen; Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth; Minister for Housing and Cities Clare O’Neil
• Federal Senate Crossbenchers (addresses in link) including the Greens, Independents David Pocock (ACT) and Fatima Payman (WA), and Jacquie Lambi (JLN), who hold the balance of power in the Senate.

Resources: 

• More information on Renew Australia For All, including further details on the future envisioned above, can be found on the campaign’s website.
• Email example below and General email template here to write your own from scratch
• Guidelines and tips for writing emails

Actions you can take:

1. Email your MP or relevant Ministers

If you need some help getting started with your email, here is an example. 

Please don’t copy it exactly - personalise it and tailor it to the MP you are writing to. 

In addition, when writing to a Minister or Shadow Minister, start by saying that you’re writing to them in their role as Minister for xxxx, otherwise they will probably just forward your email to your local MP.

[MP name]

[Member for …. or  Minister for ….]

Dear …

[Include a personal statement - who you are and why you care]

I want to see Australia having a national renewable energy network that simultaneously benefits local communities and nature. 

Investing in renewable energy backed by batteries is a smart choice for Australian households, and for the economy. Rooftop solar could save the average household more than $1,500 per year on their power bills, and help to reduce wholesale market prices for the broader community. Instead, the government’s continued support for coal and gas locks Australia into a harmful, expensive fossil fuel future.

Investing in renewable energy projects around the country can also create safe, secure jobs that support Australian manufacturing, industry, and small businesses. Government investment should better support renewable industries by funding education and retraining programs, and prioritising job creation - especially in communities currently dependent on fossil fuel projects, so no one is left behind in the energy transition.

I would like to know:

What steps will you take to help build a national renewable energy network that simultaneously benefits nature and delivers benefits to local communities?

What initiatives will you introduce to create a generation of well-paid, safe, and secure jobs with access to training so everyone can benefit from new opportunities across the clean economy

And ultimately:

Will you support a fair go for all Australians in a zero emissions future?

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely

Name

Address

Phone

[required if you want a response]

2. Call your MP

Here is a suggested script to get you started:

Hi, my name is ….. and I’m a voter in [your electorate].

I’d like to speak to …..[name of MP]

(Staffer will probably say: I’m sorry they’re not available, can I take a message?)

Yes, thank you! Would you please tell them that:

• Fossil fuels must stay in the ground so we can avoid the worst impacts of the climate catastrophe.
• I believe it is possible to transform Australia’s future into one of clean exports and manufacturing - built on the back of a renewable energy system - in which benefits, jobs, and opportunities are shared by all, and I’d like to know what they are doing to support this.
• The government should be investing in a power grid drawn from a 100% renewable energy mix, backed by battery storage that can secure our energy supply. Government funding can also better support renewable industries through education and retraining programs, and prioritising job creation - especially in communities currently dependent on fossil fuel projects, so no one is left behind in the energy transition

And ask them to:

• Push parliament and industry to help build a national renewable energy network that simultaneously benefits nature and delivers benefits to local communities
• Introduce initiatives to create a generation of well-paid, safe, and secure jobs with access to training so everyone can benefit from new opportunities across the clean economy
• Support a fair go for all Australians in a zero emissions future

Thank you!

3. Visit your MP

Nothing beats a face-to-face conversation. Email your MP’s electorate office to ask for a meeting and follow up with a phone call a few days later. Get help on how to do this under the Democracy and Governance heading on our Climate briefings webpage.

Renewable energy