FEDERAL ELECTION HEATS UP: NEW POLL FINDS SOLAR INNOVATION A VOTE SHIFTER FOR MAJORITY OF AUSTRALIANS
FEDERAL ELECTION HEATS UP: NEW POLL FINDS SOLAR INNOVATION A VOTE SHIFTER FOR MAJORITY OF AUSTRALIANS
The majority of Australians are more likely to give their vote in the upcoming election to a party supporting ambitious goals and innovation for solar, according to a new national poll.
Community organisation Solar Citizens commissioned research by Essential that found:
• 63% of Australians would be more likely to vote for party with a policy to ensure solar is installed on every home that is suitable and on buildings like hospitals and schools;
• 60% would vote for a policy that helps people get battery storage so solar can be used around the clock; and
• 59% would support a party with a commitment to invest in large-scale solar and wind.
Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said the community’s desire for a new chapter for renewable and energy policy in Australia had reached new heights.
“Australians want political leadership that will deliver cleaner, cheaper energy from the sun - and they’re willing to use their vote to make it happen,” she said.
“For far too long there has been a disconnect between what Australians want and what our political leaders have delivered. The poll shows Australians know politicians will be listening in the lead-up to a Federal election. Australian voters want more ambitious solar policies firmly on the agenda.
“The way we use energy is changing, with families and businesses wanting to harness the power of the sun, store the clean energy for when it's needed and reap the benefits of lower power bills and energy independence.
“A renewables boom is gathering momentum, with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimating renewable energy could deliver $A1.9 trillion of benefits to the global economy by 2030.
“Australians want political leaders who can help our nation become a global leader in renewables and solar, and grab its fair share of the jobs, economic growth and innovation,” she said.
Hundreds of community members from across Australia are gathered in Brisbane for the first-of-its kind three-day event promoting a clean energy future for Australia.
Solar Supercharge will spark the next phase of a grassroots, Australia-wide campaign to put solar and renewables at the top of the national agenda in the lead-up to the 2016 election.
Media contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533
Highlights of Solar Supercharge, 15 February
1) Political Forum featuring Shadow Minister for the Environment Mark Butler (via video), Independent Queensland Senator Glenn Lazarus and Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters.
11.30am. Mon 15 February
2) Simon Hackett on disrupting the system, the coming battery storage revolution. Simon is the executive chairman of the board of Redflow, a Brisbane battery start up that’s ’taking on’ Tesla.
Within 10 years, Simon predicts, battery storage will be as commonplace in homes and businesses as broadband, which barely existed in 2000 but was widespread just a decade later in 2010.
1.30pm. Mon 15 February
3) Rhonda Nowakowski, Brisbane Solar Citizens team member and solar worker, on her journey from solar worker to activist.
Following talk by Simon Hackett from 1.30pm. Mon 15 February
4) Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke on:
- the state of solar in Queensland/Australia. Challenges, Opportunities and how we compare to the rest of the world
- a renewables boom is gathering momentum, with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimating renewable energy could deliver $A1.9 trillion of benefits to the global economy by 2030.
How can Australia claim its share of jobs and economic growth?
- the rise of the solar voter and what they want from their political leaders. In many marginal Federal electorates, the number of people living in homes with rooftop solar outnumbers the number of voters that will decide that electorate - food for thought.
