With the date set for Australia’s Federal Election, the Australian Solar Council is going into overdrive to ensure politicians are very aware that solid solar policies shift votes.
“Unfortunately, powerful forces in the Liberal and National parties are still committed to a fierce anti-solar agenda,” says the Council.
“Our hope was that we had put support for solar above politics. But a determined anti-solar group remains. It is time both major parties, and the cross benches, know we are deadly serious.”
The Council will focus its activities in 12 marginal seats. Similar campaigns it has engaged in previously have been very successful in drawing attention to solar issues.
The Australian Solar Council is a not-for-profit organization promoting scientific, social and economic development through solar energy.
Another organisation that will be making itself heard in the lead- up to the election is Solar Citizens.
“This election, we’re going all out to make all major parties get on board with 100% renewable electricity by 2030,” says the group. Solar Citizens will be raising awareness of its joint project with Getup!, the Homegrown Power Plan.
Solar Citizens recently delivered a 10,000 signature petition to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s office, calling on the PM for a clear vision and policy support for Australian renewables.
With solar panels now on the rooftops of more than 1.4 million homes across Australia and strong wider community support for renewable energy; it’s a voting force to be reckoned with.
A poll carried out earlier this year indicated 63% of Australians would be more likely to vote for party with a policy that would see solar power systems installed on every suitable home and building across the nation. 60% would also support policies supporting acquisition of solar energy storage.
A city that will be taking close note of the election campaign with regard to solar is Port Augusta in South Australia. Today marks the end of operations of the Port Augusta Power Station and it’s hoped it will be replaced with a massive solar-thermal plant.
“We’ve got the two major parties talking about renewables,” said Port Augusta Mayor Sam Johnson. ” We’ve got an eight-week campaign and now it’s the time for them to put their money where their mouth is.”
