Professor Lesley Hughes

The Federal Coalition’s Budget reply looks set to push an out-of-touch fossil fuel fantasy, drilling oil wells that are 90 per cent dry and leaving Australians left holding the empty jerry can.

The latest projections by the Department of Climate Change, Energy and Water discussed by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen this morning highlight the transformative impact of critical policies starting in 2025 – including the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and an expanded Capacity Investment Scheme.

Did you know that half of Aussies living in our five biggest cities don’t have access to frequent, convenient and reliable public transport? This is a huge barrier to using public transport, a form of getting from A to B, that could slash costs of living and climate pollution at the same time.

Offshore wind will be an important part of Australia’s clean energy grid because it provides reliable, steady renewable energy right around the clock. This is one of the important ways we’ll power Australia as our ageing and unreliable coal-fired generators close.

Sharply rebuking the Albanese Government’s endorsement of gas beyond 2050, the Climate Council has labelled today’s Future Gas Strategy announcement as a regressive echo of the past.

The Climate Council is calling for data collected through the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard on manufacturers’ vehicle imports to be published by the government, delivering real transparency on how automakers are meeting the scheme’s new pollution caps. 

At a time of escalating climate harm to nature and communities alike around Australia, this critical gap must be fixed in the new nature law. Protecting nature from climate change is an essential priority for a modern and holistic national nature law.

Achieving steep cuts to emissions this decade will be fundamental to the future security, livelihoods and wellbeing of Australians and communities everywhere. Climate Council recognises that improving energy performance will be an important part of achieving the necessary emissions reductions and supports the development of a National Energy Performance Strategy.

We are calling on all federal political parties and candidates to show leadership and step up to the most critical issue of not just our time, but of all time. We have everything to lose – the time for action is now.