Queensland has an energy bill problem.
It's time for powerful, sustainable solutions.

Unlocking the power of renewable energy to tackle the cost of living crisis

Right now, Queenslanders are paying.

We’re paying high power bills because we rely on expensive coal and gas, and we’re paying for the impacts of climate change that are already hurting our communities.

Our outdated energy system is unreliable, ageing and often breaks down. It’s driving up energy prices by exposing Queenslanders to volatile coal and gas prices, making it harder and harder for people to make ends meet.

There is a solution.

Renewable energy offers a cost-effective way to create energy for all Queenslanders.

We need to give Queenslanders the relief they need now, then invest in cheap renewable energy to maximise the benefits to the Queensland community.

If we want to permanently lower prices and keep our communities safe, we need to invest in renewable energy.

We’re an alliance of advocacy organisations who want to re-imagine and unlock the powers of renewable energy to reduce cost of living pressures for all Queenslanders, forever.

Members of our Alliance

Watch our video

Watch the stories of real Queenslanders, hear about the pressures they face, and listen to the solutions they want to see.

Powering our future

We've pulled together the data about how to change the way we power Queensland, forever.

Read the report here.

Read our stories

Electricity price rises

Today, the cost of electricity in South East Queensland was confirmed to increase by 22% from 1 July, the latest in a series of price

QLD Govt should match Federal budget energy savings support for households

The Power Together coalition has today welcomed the Federal Budget’s focus on delivering government support for households to install energy saving measures and calls on

Photo of Gary in his social housing apartment. Man speaking to an interviewer, wearing glasses and a tshirt.

Gary’s story

Gary is a volunteer with Communify’s neighbourhood centre in Bardon, helping out at the pantry and with community events. He has a disability and lives

Lisa telling us her story about rising energy prices

Lisa’s story

Lisa moved to Australia from New Zealand and has lived in the Logan area for the past 5 years with her young family. She works

Joan telling her story about rising costs putting pressure on her pension

Joan’s story

Joan is a retired chef and grandmother. Her husband passed away suddenly 21 years ago and she was left to raise her children. She is

Marek and Bozena’s story

Marek and his mother Bozena live in Ipswich and have a 5.5kW solar system. After installing solar they made the move off gas to all

Email The Premier And Energy Minister

Dear Hon. Meghan Scanlon
I am deeply concerned that the electricity price increases confirmed in the 2023-24 Default Market Offer will compound the pressures on vulnerable households this winter, particularly those living in energy inefficient rental properties. 
I call on you, as Housing Minister, to change this by including Energy Efficiency Minimum Standards within the Residential Tenancy and Rooming Accommodation Act (2008), to reduce costs, carbon emissions and cold for the third of Queenslanders who rent their homes. 
The Queensland Government can solve the cost of living and climate crises together through coordinated action. Energy efficiency and renewable energy can bring down costs of energy at a time when many Queenslanders are facing increasing financial pressures due to rising costs of housing and basic necessities, as well as energy. These measures also reduce carbon emissions and help drive the rapid transition to renewable energy we need. 
I welcome the Federal Budget allocation of $1.3 billion for household energy relief. This will allow property owners to access low-cost finance through the new Household Energy Upgrades Fund. However, the majority of the package will be used for temporary relief which will not solve long term issues such as Queensland’s continued dependence on dirty, unreliable, and expensive fossil fuel power stations, or the inefficient rental housing stock in Queensland. 
With over a third of Queenslanders renting their homes and with many people renting for longer, energy efficiency improvements are a real opportunity to improve wellbeing and reduce costs. The Stage One rental reforms in 2019 acknowledged this, yet we are still waiting for the Queensland government to implement meaningful minimum rental standards.
We ask that you include Energy Efficiency Minimum Standards within the Residential Tenancy and Rooming Accommodation Act (2008) to: 
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Require the energy efficiency features of a home to be disclosed at the point of advertisement, and eventually that the energy efficiency rating be disclosed on Entry Condition Reports; </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Require lessors to consent to energy performance improvements to the property if there is no cost to them; </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Introduce energy efficiency features, such as insulation, shading and reducing gaps and drafts; and</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Implement performance-based standards, raising homes to a minimum 4 star rating.</li>
</ul>
These changes will help some of our most vulnerable households and also reduce wholesale power prices and carbon emissions for all Queenslanders. They should be considered the first step in a long term plan to move Queensland to a fairer, cleaner energy future, through the <a href="https://powertogether.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/9043.QCC_.Power-Together-Report_v6.pdf">Power Together Coalition’s 8 point plan</a>. 
Thank you for your time and consideration of this pressing matter. I eagerly await your response and hope I can count on your support for renters and climate action as you take on the Housing Ministry .

Queensland has an energy bill problem.It's time for powerful, sustainable solutions.