Want a win in Bass? Target the 9,318 solar voters
22 June, 2016: In every federal electorate in Tasmania except for one, there are more voters with solar panels on their roof than the number of voters required to change the sitting member.
“If the major parties are serious about winning seats in Tasmania, they should be speaking directly to the 50,094 voters who have themselves invested in clean energy,” said Claire O’Rourke, National Director of Solar Citizens.
Solar Scorecard analysis was compiled using detailed postcode data published by the Clean Energy Regulator and weighted in accordance with the AEC federal electoral boundary redistribution in 2016.
In the seat of Bass, there are 9,318 people of voting age living in homes powered by the sun compared with only 2,563 votes needed to swing the seat,” said Claire O’Rourke, National Director of Solar Citizens.
“It’s not hard to do the maths on why that is a powerful constituency right there,” she said. Solar Citizens are launching their Homegrown Power Plan in Launceston on Thursday. It’s a comprehensive suite of policies that shows how Australia can repower Australia with 100% renewable power by 2030.
Claire O'Rourke, and co-author of the plan Nicky Ison who founded the Community Power Agency, will talk to residents in the seat of Bass about why a transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 is absolutely achievable.
Local resident, Anne Wennagel from Westbury, said she would be at the Homegrown Power Plan event to hear how we can transition to 100% renewable power for our future generations.
“We can't rely on power supply, especially in rural areas. Australia needs to get in line with the rest of the world on renewables. This can ensure the jobs and energy security Tasmanian' s deserve.
Ms O’Rourke said solar ownership is more prevalent in rural, regional and outer mortgage belt suburbs, where marginal electorates are most prevalent.
“These people are average Australians who decide to back renewable energy by installing solar panels on their roofs. They do this because they know, in the long run, it will reduce their power bills and save the environment,” Ms O’Rourke said.
“They want to know their government backs renewable energy as well.
“With less than two weeks until polling day, we’ve not seen any comprehensive plan for an orderly transition to clean, renewable power from the Federal Government.
“In 121 of the 150 lower house seats in the House of Representatives there are enough solar voters that could change their MP and turn politics in this country on its head,” she said.
The Solar Scorecard website can be found at: www.solarscorecard.org.au
Full Briefing available on request or here.
What: Homegrown Power Plan launch
When: June 23 6 - 8pm
Where: St John Craft Beer (Barrel Room)
133 St John Street, Launceston
Media Contact: Andrew Bradley P: 0403 777 137 E: [email protected]
