EVENT ALERT: Rally for Solar
Canning Electorate, Mandurah
CANNING VOTERS SEND CLEAR MESSAGE TO TURNBULL: SUPPORT SOLAR, RENEWABLES
The hotly contested Canning by-election could be decided by solar votes, with close to half of the electorate's homes sporting rooftop pv or solar hot water, according to Solar Citizens.
People living in solar households, solar business owners and workers and their supporters will hold a peaceful rally outside Liberal candidate Andrew Hastie's office on Thursday.
They have been disappointed by Tony Abbott ideological attacks on solar and siding with the big power companies and slashing the Renewable Energy Target.
Now they want new Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull and his government to stand with them and support solar and renewables, said National Director Claire O’Rourke.
“Boosting solar and renewable energy are front and centre in the issues that matter most to voters in Canning,” she said.
“A recent Essential Poll of the Canning electorate showed 48% of swinging voters said reducing the Renewable Energy Target would make them less likely to vote for the Liberal, while only 15% would be more likely to support the government.
“The people of Canning love solar and renewable energy and are concerned about the economy, jobs and the cost of living.
Renewable energy enjoys strong support in Canning, with a ReachTEL poll conducted for Solar Citizens, The Wilderness Society and Conservation Council WA finding that almost two-thirds (64.9 per cent) of voters in the electorate supporting a goal of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. Almost half of Liberal voters surveyed (48.6 per cent) support the goal.
“The new Prime Minister designate can show real leadership by taking strong, decisive action and back a goal of at least 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 - a line in the sand drawn earlier this year by the Australian Labor Party. It’s a realistic and achievable goal that will support an agile economy and Australian families.”
“On Thursday, the community will hand over a super-sized letter from Canning constituents calling on Liberal candidate Andrew Hasting to Stand Up For Solar.
“We will then move across the road to Labor candidate Matt Keogh's office to do the same.
“This is the community’s opportunity to send politicians in Canning and around the nation a definitive message that will echo nationwide - we love solar and we vote,” she said.
Event details
What: Rally for Solar
When: 12pm-1pm. Thursday, 17 September
Where: Outside the office of Liberal candidate Andrew Hastie, 12 Sutton St Mandurah
More info: http://www.standupforsolar.org.au/canning_rally_for_solar
Media contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533
Authorised by Claire O’Rourke, 338 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
