There would be huge benefits for everyday Australians if the government invests further in renewable energy and batteries, such as significant power bill savings, reliable jobs and exports, and safer, healthier homes. The Renew Australia for All campaign is asking our government to create a fair go for all Australians in a zero emissions future. 

Background and context:

The Renew Australia for All campaign is a movement of more than 70 environment organisations, community groups, unions, and social services (including Climate for Change!) that are working to align Australia’s domestic emissions trajectory with the goals of the Paris Agreement. We believe it is possible to transform Australia’s future into one of clean exports and manufacturing which brings benefits, jobs and opportunities that 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. One in three Australian homes already have rooftop solar, which has the capacity 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 help to reduce wholesale market prices and ensure a bigger supply of emissions-free electricity for the broader community. Instead, the government’s continued support for coal and gas locks Australia into a harmful, expensive fossil fuel future.

A clean energy future would help create social and economic justice for all. Around 7 million homes remain without access to to solar, typically the homes of low-income earners, renters, and multicultural or First Nations families. Everyone should have access to clean energy regardless of socioeconomic status or location, and everyone should share the benefits, jobs, and opportunities of a clean energy future.

Investing in renewable energy projects around the country can create safe, secure jobs that support Australian manufacturing, industry, and small businesses. The idea that our workforce needs the fossil fuel industry is not accurate: only 1.5% of working Australians are employed in coal, oil and gas. 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 a national renewable energy network that simultaneously benefits nature and delivers benefits to local communities
• Secure Australia’s manufacturing and industrial jobs by creating the clean materials and products the world needs
• 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 Greens, David Pocock (ACT independent), Jacquie Lambie (JLN) and Tammy Tyrell, 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?

How will you help to secure Australia’s manufacturing and industrial jobs by creating the clean materials and products the world needs?

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
• Pursue opportunities that secure Australia’s manufacturing and industrial jobs by creating the clean materials and products the world needs
• 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