ACT leaders urged to stay ahead on energy innovation, public transport and renewables
PRESS CONFERENCE
11.00AM. THURS, 17 DEC 2015
ACT ASSEMBLY FORECOURT
A television advertisement launched today calls on the ACT’s major party leaders to put aside politics and support policies that have put the Territory at the forefront of clean energy, public transport and climate action.
The ‘Go ACT’ advertisement features six ACT locals speaking in support of renewable energy, divestment from fossil fuels and light rail.
Claire O’Rourke, National Director of Solar Citizens said, ‘The ACT’s suite of policies put the Territory at the head of the race to 100% renewable power in Australia. Strong support for solar has meant that more than 16,000 households are saving on their bills with solar PV systems. Polls consistently show that eight in ten people here and around Australia support clean energy.’
Miriam Lyons, GetUp’s Clean Energy Campaigner said, ‘The ACT is leading the country when it comes to reducing pollution and energy innovation. Voters in the ACT want their city to keep a positive agenda investing in renewables and public transport. Political leaders must commit to protecting these big, long-term decisions that are preparing a growing ACT to thrive in a clean energy future.’
Andy Jennings, President of Fair Go for Canberra said, ‘All political parties should embrace these important and widely supported policies. This will send a signal to Canberrans that these positive, responsible policies have the rock-solid support of all sides of politics. The public are sick of games and negativity.’
The ACT policies which the groups highlight in the advertisement are
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Purchasing 100% renewable power for the ACT by 2025
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Divestment of ACT Government shareholdings in 60 major fossil fuel companies
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Major public transport infrastructure investment in light rail
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Investment in bike paths
Solar Citizens, GetUp and Fair Go for Canberra have jointly produced the advertisement, which begins airing today on PRIME and WIN and will also be run on Facebook and other websites up to Christmas.
The three groups will today hand deliver letters to Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson and ACT Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, requesting a meeting in the new year to discuss the policy platforms the parties will put to ACT voters at the election. The ACT election will be held on 15 October 2016, in the same year as the next federal election.
The advertisement can be viewed at: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/goact
Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404
