Media Releases
Queenslanders win with new Climate Smart Energy Savers Program
1st August 2023: Queenslanders win with new Climate Smart Energy Savers Program
A new $22 million Climate Smart Energy Savers Program from the Queensland Government has been welcomed by the Power Together coalition of community, environment and faith groups.
The new program offers rebates of up to $1,000 to buy and install eligible energy-efficient appliances with a four-star rating. The rebates are on offer for solar and heat pump hot water systems, air conditioners, washing machines, dishwashers, dryers and refrigerators. Importantly, higher rebates are on offer for low income households.
Support for all Queenslanders to access efficient electric appliances, particularly to replace expensive gas appliances, is a key campaign ask of the Power Together coalition which includes the Queensland Conservation Council, Queensland Council of Social Services, Queensland Community Alliance and Solar Citizens.
Solar Citizens National Director Heidi Lee Douglas said:
“Solar Citizens commends the Queensland government’s new ‘Climate Smart Energy Savers Program’ to help reduce cost of living for Queenslanders. Rebates for more efficient home appliances will help reduce energy consumption and bills, especially when powered with Queensland’s abundant solar energy.
“Solar Citizens is calling on the state and federal governments to work together ongoing to remove barriers to solar for renters, social housing, apartments, and strata – unlocking more rooftops to generate more cheap, clean energy for all. Affordable clean energy for all must be top of the priority list for the next joint state and federal Energy and Climate Ministers meeting in November.”
QCC Senior Campaigner Stephanie Gray said:
“This is a very welcome announcement by the Queensland Government.
“Increasing the energy efficiency of Queensland homes is a simple way to slash power bills, bring down emissions and reduce stress on the grid at peak times.”
“We know from Climate Council research that Queenslanders could save more than $800 per year just from swapping out gas hot water for a solar hot water system.
“With rebates soon to be on offer of $800-$1000 for solar and heat pump hot water systems, this could be a no-brainer decision for many households.
“We’d like to see this program coupled with a well-resourced communication and community engagement campaign so that Queenslanders know to cash in on the opportunity for lower bills and healthier homes.”
Queensland Council of Social Service CEO Aimee McVeigh welcomed the difference the latest rebates would make for Queenslanders, especially those on low incomes.
“Across Queensland, people are really struggling with the cost of living, and energy costs are a major pressure on household budgets,” McVeigh said.
“Government has a role to play in making sure Queenslanders on low incomes have energy bill relief and a smart way to do this is assistance with the purchase of energy efficient appliances.
“Combined with the increased electricity rebates for seniors and concession card holders, the Palaszczuk’s Government’s latest cost of living package, which helps with the purchase of energy efficient appliances, will bring welcome relief to low-income households across the state.
“We thank Minister Mick de Brenni and the Queensland Government for its continued focus on cost of living, and we look forward to seeing more details around the program.”
Queensland Community Alliance Lead Organiser Devett Kennedy said:
“This announcement comes from hundreds of people sharing their own cost-of living stories and taking action through the Power Together coalition in community centres, churches, mosques, multicultural groups and unions.
“The people this affects are grappling with it every day. It is great to see the Queensland Government listening and acting on this issue.
“The members of Queensland Community Alliance are united in tackling the cost of living and climate crises together. This announcement is a key step in Queensland doing that.”
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More information about the Power Together coalition can be found on our website: powertogether.org.au.
Media contacts:
Queensland Conservation Council: Stephanie Gray, 0425 543 006
QCOSS: Tanya Chilcott, 0404 889 010
Solar Citizens: Heidi Douglas, 0401 092 570
QCA: Devett Kennedy, 0467 563 796
Minns Out of Step on Gas: Needs to Reconsider
1 August 2023: Minns Out of Step on Gas: Needs to Reconsider
“In the middle of a cost of living crisis, Premier Chris Minns needs to reconsider refusing to phase out gas in new home builds. The Victorian government estimates phasing gas out of new builds will save households between $1000 and $2200 (with solar installed) off annual energy bills.
Replacing fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy is better for our hip pockets, health, and climate. Gas and coal prices are much higher than renewable energy. We have cheap power during the day when solar outbids coal and gas. We urgently need a federal government rebate on home batteries, as there is on solar, to replace expensive gas and coal with cheap, clean energy at night.
And we need state and federal governments to work together to remove barriers to solar for renters, social housing, apartments, and strata - unlocking more roofs to generate more cheap, clean energy for all.
We applaud the Victorian government’s commitment to phasing out gas in new home developments, as we know it is better for people’s hip pockets and health. Gas cooking in homes is known to contribute to children’s asthma. And under the Paris Agreement, we must be fossil fuel free by 2050. So any home built now with gas will have to have it ripped out in the next few decades. That’s a waste of money.
Instead of backing himself into a corner with gas, Premier Minns needs to support more clean, cheap renewable energy that future-proofs generations of New South Wales residents to save on energy bills and is better for health and climate.”
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For further comment contact
National Director Heidi Lee Douglas
0401 092 570
Solar slashes power bills but more government support required
5 July 2023: Solar slashes power bills but more government support required
Solar Citizens National Director Heidi Lee Douglas is responding to Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen's calls for families to cut power bills with rooftop solar:
Rooftop solar can cut household power bills while energy costs are surging, but Energy Minister Chris Bowen needs to provide far more support and subsidies to lower upfront costs and increase access so everyone can benefit from these savings, including low-income households and renters.
With all state, territory and federal Energy Ministers meeting later this week at the Climate and Energy Ministerial Council, the first thing on the agenda should be nationally consistent policies to install rooftop solar on social housing, expand subsidies for low-income households and increase incentives for solar on private rental properties.
$1.3 billion was allocated in the Federal Budget for household energy support. This funding should be immediately rolled out to support families struggling with bills right now.
Households save around $1200 a year with rooftop solar and those savings last for the lifetime of the solar system which might be 10 to 20 years. State and Federal Governments are spending billions on one-off power bill subsidies that are providing essential support right now, but similar investments in rooftop solar would provide savings now and protect families from future increases in electricity prices.
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Media Contact: Heidi Lee Douglas, National Director 0401 092 570
A Positive First Step in the Budget, But QLD Government Must Do More on Renewables and Energy Efficiency: Power Together
13 June 2023: A Positive First Step in the Budget, But QLD Government Must Do More on Renewables and Energy Efficiency: Power Together
The Queensland Budget delivered today has recognised energy bill relief for Queenslanders as key for addressing cost of living pressure and climate action with new funding announcements for renewables and energy efficiency, according to the Power Together coalition.
The Queensland Budget includes:
- A new $550 energy rebate for all Queensland households and a higher $700 rebate for about 600,000 vulnerable households;
- A record $19 billion over 4 years to support new wind, solar, storage and transmission;
- $60 million for a household energy initiatives program; and
- $10 million for Vulnerable Households Energy Advice Initiatives.
Dave Copeman, Director at Queensland Conservation Council said, “We welcome the state government’s record investment in renewables and energy efficiency, easing cost of living pressures for households across Queensland.
“Now we need to make sure that this investment is rolled out in a way that benefits Queenslanders as soon as possible.
“To build the renewable energy identified in the Budget in the time frame we need, the Government has to accelerate their planning reforms, and transform their community and Traditional Owner engagement to make sure that local communities are designing their own energy future and protecting their nature and cultural heritage.”
“The rebates are significant assistance for Queensland households, families and communities. Now we need to make sure that renters and social housing tenants also get the full benefit of cheaper, cleaner renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“We have the plan for more affordable, cleaner energy and electricity bill relief, and this budget is a significant step towards implementing it.
Heidi Lee Douglas, National Director of Solar Citizens said, “There’s a bright future ahead for Queensland’s economy and communities if the Sunshine State uses cheaper, cleaner energy to power our homes, businesses and economy.
“Rooftop solar provides households with ongoing power savings and reduces the cost of living while energy prices surge. Every Queensland household should have the support it needs to run on cheap, clean solar power instead of burning expensive, polluting fossil fuels.
“The simple truth of the matter is power generated from burning coal is much more expensive than power generated from the sun through solar. Solar is the cheapest source of energy. Currently the Queenslanders who need it most - those living in rentals, and in social housing - are locked out of savings from solar.
“Investment in solar for rentals and social housing completely missed in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. We welcome the $70m Household Energy Initiatives and advice package and urge the Queensland Government to commit further funds to enable access to cheap, clean solar energy for all Queenslanders - and get off coal power sooner rather than later.
“Investment in solar for rentals and social housing creates immediate energy bill savings for householders while we wait for the investment in large scale infrastructure and transmission to come online.”
Aimee McVeigh, QCOSS CEO said, “We welcome the government’s record investment in renewable energy, and the $1.5 billion energy bill relief package, which will make a big difference to household budgets.
“Some Queenslanders on income support will not have to pay anything for their energy bill over the next 12 months, as a result of this cost of living package. This will benefit many Queenslanders who have been choosing to not turn on their lights or heat their homes to save money.
“The Government’s long-term investment in the generation and storage of renewable energy will bring down power prices into the future.”
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Dave Copeman, Heidi Lee Douglas and Aimee McVeigh are available for interview.
Powering Our Future: An action plan for Queensland’s cost of living and climate crises is available here: https://powertogether.org.au/
Media contact: Bron Matherson 0438 844 765
Solar the smart solution for energy price hike of up to 29 per cent on the way for regional QLD
9 June 2023: Solar the smart solution for energy price hike of up to 29 per cent on the way for regional QLD
Households budgets in regional Queensland will be further stretched with the announcement today of an electricity bill rise of up to 29 per cent from July 1, with Solar Citizens calling for urgent government investment in solar as the smart solution.
Under the Ergon determination released today, homes and small businesses in regional Queensland who rely on the provider could have hundreds of dollars added to their power bills from July 1.
Heidi Lee Douglas, National Director of Solar Citizens said, “Too many households and small businesses in regional Queensland will be pushed to the brink by the significant power bill increase announced today and investment in solar is a smart way of bringing energy prices down.
“Regional Queensland householders with solar are already saving hundreds or thousands of dollars per home on their power bills, depending on the size of their solar array.
“Queensland is literally the Sunshine state - so the State Government needs to make sure no one in the regions is locked out of the benefits of harnessing cheap, clean solar energy.
“Every regional Queenslander deserves access to cheap, clean energy from solar.
“Queensland has some of the best uptake of solar in the country in but people in rented properties and people in social housing are currently locked out of the benefits from solar power.
“Solar Citizens and Power Together are calling on the Queensland Government to commit in next Tuesday’s State Budget to install rooftop solar on social housing and rolling out Virtual Power Plants for 10,000 social homes. We’re also asking for government investment to help instal rooftop solar on 10,000 rented homes across the state, including in the regions.
“Rooftop solar provides households with ongoing power savings and reduces the cost of living while energy prices surge.
“It’s a good investment for governments to provide the support and subsidies needed to make savings from rooftop solar available to as many households and small businesses as possible.
“All Queensland households should be running on cheap, clean solar power instead of burning expensive, polluting fossil fuels,” she said.
Heidi Lee Douglas is available for interview.
Media contact: Jane Garcia (Essential) 0455 111 593
QLD Budget a Massive Opportunity to Ease Cost of Living with Support for More Households to Access Benefits of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency: Power Together
6 June 2023: QLD Budget a Massive Opportunity to Ease Cost of Living with Support for More Households to Access Benefits of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency: Power Together
The interest rate rise to 4.1 per cent announced today by the Reserve Bank of Australia, combined with further energy bill hikes from July 1, makes it critical for the next Queensland Budget to provide more households access to the benefits of renewable energy and ease pressure on household budgets, according to the Power Together coalition.
The recent Federal budget committed $300 million for the support of energy upgrades and efficiency in social housing, with a challenge for state governments to match them Power
Together urges the Queensland Government to take up the challenge and commit in the state budget to installing rooftop solar on social housing and the roll out of Virtual Power Plants for 10,000 homes.
Power Together is also calling on the Queensland Government to provide financial support for:
- the rollout of solar on at least 10,000 private rental properties; and
- minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes.
Heidi Lee Douglas, National Director of Solar Citizens said, “Rooftop solar is one of the cheapest forms of new electricity available today and Queensland households lead the nation with nearly one million rooftop installations.
“No Queensland household should be left behind in the move to cheap, clean solar energy. We need tailored Queensland government assistance to ensure social housing tenants and households who are renters do not miss out energy bill relief from solar.
“Our households should be running on cheap, clean solar power instead of burning expensive, polluting fossil fuels.”
Dave Copeman, Director at Queensland Conservation Council said, “Queensland’s over-reliance on coal-fired power has helped fuel surging electricity prices. If the Queensland Government is genuine in wanting to deliver a cost of living focussed budget then it must go beyond energy bill rebates and invest more in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“This Budget is an opportunity for significant investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency that eases the cost of living pressure and reduces emissions while improving people’s living standards.
“The action we need to rapidly cut emissions this decade and tackle the climate crisis is the same action we need to improve affordability for life’s essentials.”
Aimee McVeigh, QCOSS CEO said, “Many Queenslanders on low incomes are already having to make tough choices between paying their energy bills, putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their head. The interest rate rise announced today will only increase pressure on household budgets and push more people into energy poverty.
“We need urgent government intervention so that Queenslanders on low incomes can share in the benefits of renewable energy.”
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Media contact: Jane Garcia (Essential) 0455 111 593
Power Together’s Powering our Future report is available here: https://powertogether.org.au/
Calls for bipartisan support for Queensland’s new Renewable Energy Target
5 June 2023: Calls for bipartisan support for Queensland’s new Renewable Energy Target
Solar Citizens welcomes news that the Queensland Government has announced a $500 million investment in publicly-owned CleanCo to develop 2.3 GW of new renewable energy generation.
The funding commitment comes as the Queensland Government releases draft legislation to enact the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. The legislation includes:
- Queensland’s new 70% by 2032, and 80% by 2035 Renewable Energy Targets
- A commitment to maintaining majority public ownership of the State’s energy assets
- The Job Security Guarantee and a fund for workers affected by the energy transformation
“It’s very welcome news that the Queensland Government is enshrining in law more cheap renewable energy, certainty for workers, and a commitment to keep the majority of the State’s energy assets in the hands of Queenslanders,” said Heidi Lee Douglas, National Director of Solar Citizens.
“At the moment Queenslanders are still being slugged with high power bills caused by globally high coal and gas prices, and rolling outages at Queensland’s ageing coal-fired power stations. Investing in more Queensland-owned solar, wind and storage means we’ll have more protection from global fossil fuel price spikes.”
A report, released by Solar Citizens and the Queensland Conservation Council, found that large-scale solar, wind and storage projects across the Sunshine State brought wholesale power costs down by $25/MWh in 2022, equivalent to nearly $100 per household. The report found that further renewable energy investment would have brought down costs by more than $500 per household.
Solar Citizens is now calling on the Queensland Opposition to support the new Renewable Energy Targets and legislation.
“Queenlanders should have access to clean, affordable renewable energy no matter who is elected next year,” said Ms Douglas.
“In the lead up to the last state election, the Queensland Liberal National Party was planning to scrap the State’s 50% by 2030 Renewable Energy Target. But a lot has changed since then, including Queensland power bills spiralling because of our dependency on coal and gas.
“It was really encouraging to see Opposition Leader David Crisafulli signal on ABC back when the Energy and Jobs Plan was released that he supports the new 70% renewable energy target.
“Queenslanders are tired of the energy and climate wars. It’s time for bipartisan support for the transition to clean and affordable energy.”
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Media contact: Solar Citizens National Director Heidi Lee Douglas 0401 092 570
Car lobby gets dirty delaying the shift to electric vehicles
29th May 2023: Car lobby gets dirty delaying the shift to electric vehicles
Solar Citizens today responds to the news that the Federal Chamber for Automotive Industries (FCAI) has been privately campaigning for a weak Fuel Efficiency Standard in documents obtained under freedom of information laws by the think tank Influence Map.
Clean Transport Campaigner Ajaya Haikerwal says that the FCAI’s tactics are similar to those employed by the fossil fuel industry to delay the shift to renewables.
“This covert behaviour is right out of the playbook of the fossil fuel industry – delay-ism is the new denialism. The Australian public shouldn't have to put up with this level of corporate spin,” said Haikerwal.
“Carmakers should have gotten the signal that a Fuel Efficiency Standard is coming as 85% of the world's light vehicle market is already covered by one – Australia doing the same should be no surprise.
“Australia is one of the last two remaining G20 countries to adopt these rules. Car makers must know the age of inefficient, polluting and expensive-to-run cars is over, and they can’t continue selling them in Australia.
“The auto industry and their vested interests are getting in the way of the amazing cost of living savings presented by electric vehicles. Aussies are already bleeding at the hip with ludicrous petrol prices, so it’s time we modernised our transport sector with cost-saving technology the rest of the world has had for over 10 years.
The Federal Government is currently consulting on what an Australian Fuel Efficiency Standard should look like, with submissions closing on Wednesday, May 31st.
“Australia is already so far behind the rest of the world, and our transport emissions are skyrocketing. If we’re ever going to catch up, we need a Fuel Efficiency Standard that meets and beats the commitments of our major trading partners like New Zealand and the European Union and doesn’t have dodgy loopholes like “super credits” for car makers as they have in the United States.
“Analysis we have undertaken shows that Australian communities could be $11 billion better off if we implement a strong Fuel Efficiency Standard, including $4 billion for regional Australians.”
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Media Contact: Ajaya Haikerwal, Clean Transport Campaigner (0400 723 324
Joint Renewable Hydrogen Funding a Win for Regional Queenslanders
26 May 2023: Joint Renewable Hydrogen Funding a Win for Regional Queenslanders
Solar Citizens today celebrates the announcement that the Australian and Queensland governments have joined partners to contribute $117 million towards establishing Gladstone’s green hydrogen industry.
The funding will go towards the Front EndEngineering Design (FEED) for Stanwell Corporation’s Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQ-H2) project – which is expected to create almost 9,000 jobs and over $17.2 billion in hydrogen exports over its 30-year life.
“To set up regional Queensland to have a prosperous, future-proof economy, we need to be investing in new clean industries like renewable hydrogen production,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director of Solar Citizens.
“Australia has the natural advantages to establish new clean manufacturing and renewable hydrogen industries, like world-class solar and wind resources and the minerals needed to make battery materials. But at the moment we’re being outdone by overseas governments.
“The US Inflation Reduction Act and similar initiatives in Europe have set a high bar that Australia has to compete with. That’s why we want to see the investments in clean industry keep coming from the Australian and Queensland governments.
“Analysis by Deloitte estimates that Australian governments will need to allocate at least $15 billion over the coming decade to stay competitive with international hydrogen subsidies.
“We also need to make sure that there’s enough renewable energy coming online to meet the electricity needs of new industries. The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan released last year is a great first step, but now it’s time to build more publicly-owned clean energy projects to enact the plan.
“Regional Queenslanders have been powering the world with energy exports for decades. Now is the moment to invest in new clean industries so we can continue to power the world as it decarbonises.”
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Media contact: Stephanie Gray 0425543006
Greater Investment in Cheaper, Cleaner Solar Power a Bright Solution to Energy Price Hike of Between 20 to 25 Per Cent
26 May 2023: Greater Investment in Cheaper, Cleaner Solar Power a Bright Solution to Energy Price Hike of Between 20 to 25 Per Cent
Australian households struggling with the cost of living crisis will be under more pressure as power bills rise up between 20 to 25 per cent across the nation from July 1 and greater government investment in solar is the smart solution, according to Solar Citizens.
Under the Default Market Offer announced today, customers in NSW, South Australia and parts of Queensland could be hit with increases of up to about 22 per cent for homes and small businesses. Media reports today also suggest NSW’s two main renewable energy zones are facing delays, increasing the urgency for the roll out of additional rooftop solar across the state.
Heidi Lee Douglas, National Director of Solar Citizens said, “Businesses and households are under rising pressure from soaring power bills and greater government investment in solar is one of the most equitable ways of bringing energy prices down.
“While the energy bill relief announced in the recent Federal Budget was welcome, the pace of soaring energy prices and the cost of living crisis demonstrates more support is needed for households and small business.
“Rooftop solar provides households with ongoing power savings and reduces the cost of living while energy prices surge.
“It’s a good investment for governments to provide the support and subsidies needed to make savings from rooftop solar available to as many Australians as possible.
“It’s unfair that renters and social housing tenants have largely been excluded from the benefits and cost savings of rooftop solar.
“No Australian household should be left behind in the move to cheap, clean solar energy.
“Solar Citizens calls for tailored government support to ensure the 30 per cent of households who are renters do not miss out on the ongoing, year in year out energy bill relief that solar can provide.
“All Australian households should be running on cheap, clean solar power instead of burning
expensive, polluting fossil fuels,” she said.
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Heidi Lee Douglas is available for interview.
Media contact: Jane Garcia (Essential) 0455 111 593