Where do Chisholm's candidates stand on a renewable future?

With a federal election looming, locals in the Chisholm electorate were out in force on Tuesday evening, eager to find out where local candidates stand on renewable energy and climate change. 

Held at the Mt Waverley Youth Centre and organised by the Chisholm Climate Action Network (Chisholm CAN), the Community Future Energy Forum was moderated by Associate Professor Christopher Leung from Doctors for the Environment, with speakers sharing their thoughts on the renewable future of Australia.

Nearly 40 percent of Australia’s energy currently comes from renewable sources, including solar, with support from both major parties in the goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. 

Around 180 people attended the event, with the panel discussion featuring representatives from Independent candidates, the Labor Party, the Liberal Party, and the Greens.

The candidates make their case to Chisholm locals

The panel covered topics from household electrification to the Coalition’s proposed nuclear reactor push.

Labor promises no nuclear and “on track” renewable target

Current Labor MP for Chisholm Dr Carina Garland cemented her support of a renewable energy future - ruling out nuclear energy entirely - to achieve the current targets. The Labor Government has pledged to achieve an 82 percent share of renewables in electricity generation by 2030. 

Garland told the crowd Australia is “on track” to meet the 2030 target despite a “great” challenge ahead, with nuclear energy “not viable” moving forward. 

“We are investing in renewables, we are investing in community batteries, we are empowering people to be part of the solution that will see Australia meet our targets and build the kind of energy system that I think everyone in this room wants to see, that will keep us healthy, that will keep the planet healthy,” Garland said. 

“The technology [for nuclear] doesn’t exist…it’s such a long time away even if it did and it’s not going to save anyone any money once it does.

“We know renewables are the cheapest and most reliable source of energy we have right now; why would we spend $600 billion in a decade to have more expensive energy?”

Independent candidate Kath Davis backs subsidies for household electrification

Independent candidate Kath Davies, backed by volunteer group Voices for Chisholm, told attendees she thought Australia could reach the renewables target and wanted to see the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax reformed to raise revenue, the encouragement of investment and the provision of subsidies for household electrification. 

“It is possible we will have a balanced Parliament at the next election, which means if I am on the crossbench I will have a fair bit of power to help sway the energy direction,” Davies said. 

Liberal candidate Dr Katie Allen says we need an energy mix

Liberal candidate Dr Katie Allen, former MP for the recently abolished seat of Higgins from 2019-2022, said she was in support of a mixed model including nuclear, renewables and gas.

“I know this is speaking to a room that’s not going to be receptive of this, but in my view we need an energy mix,” Allen said. 

“We should not have one arm tied behind our back, we do need to include consideration of nuclear.

“There are many reasons I support nuclear, but one of those is it’s a faster way to get to a long term sustainable clean energy carbon neutral future.”

“We know that renewables are absolutely critical to our future, and our Coalition party has agreed to doubling renewables, doubling solar, doubling wind and tripling batteries and tripling storage.”

Greens candidate Tim Randall pledges “no new coal and gas”

Greens candidate Tim Randall said coal and gas was the leading cause of climate change and both Labor and the Liberal Party had supported expanding the industries.

“Since taking office Labor has approved 28 new coal and gas projects, driving emissions higher than under Scott Morrison,” said Randall.

Randall added the Greens are working for “no new coal and gas” and the electrification of “transport, homes and industry to cut emissions,” the end of forest logging, the redirection of fossil fuel subsidies and “climate solutions and a job for job guarantee to ensure a fair transition for workers”.

Chisholm CAN member Dave Hudspeth told the Eastern Melburnian people would like to see every party come to the election with a “comprehensive climate policy,” including emission reductions in every sector. 

“That’s a really important factor that our energy policy is aligned with climate policy and a safe climate,” Hudspeth said. 

“A key thing is urgency to reduce emissions over the next decade or so.”