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 the Queensland Government to match them in the upcoming state budget.
Last night’s Federal Budget included:
- $1 billion for low-cost loans for household energy efficiency including solar panels; and
- $300 million in Federal funding for low interest loans to fund energy performance upgrades for social housing.
The Power Together coalition, including Queensland Conservation Council, Solar Citizens, Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) and Queensland Community Alliance, is calling for a Queensland Government commitment for similar investment in installing rooftop solar on social housing and supporting more households to take up solar.
Power Together is also calling for more publicly-owned renewable energy projects to bring down power bills and improve reliability, especially for social housing.
Heidi Douglas, National Director at Solar Citizens said, “Power bills are soaring, cost of living pressures are rising and so far the Queensland Government has not delivered policies that are ambitious enough to match the scale or urgency of the problem.
“Solar Citizens is joining with allied groups to make the call loud and clear to the Queensland Government that no Queenslanders should be left behind from the power bill savings that solar energy provides.
“We know rooftop solar can provide up to an average $750 a year energy bill relief for up to 20 years. Our low-income households, social housing households and renters need this long-term protection from rising energy prices – and they need it now.”
Aimee McVeigh, QCOSS CEO said, “Renewable energy is already lowering the cost of energy for many households but without further government support for Queenslanders on the lowest incomes or in social housing, we risk leaving some people behind in the transition.
“It can be as simple as installing solar on social housing or providing financial assistance to upgrade the energy efficiency of social housing or helping households replace older appliances with more efficient electric versions.
“The Queensland Government should seize this opportunity to drive down rising household energy costs and make homes cheaper to run.”
Reverend Andrew Gunton, Moderator of the Uniting Church in Queensland said, “The Uniting Church in Queensland is committed to supporting those who are most vulnerable in our communities. As energy prices rise again, there are people having to choose between buying food and medicine or heating their home as the colder weather approaches.
“The households who can least afford their energy bills need to be at the top of the list for government assistance.”
Dave Copeman, Director of Queensland Conservation Council said, “The Federal Budget has clearly demonstrated renewable energy, including solar, can tackle both the cost of living and climate crises, without driving inflation.
“We need Queensland Government-backed interest-free loans and grants for small-scale solar and storage and increased support for the rollout of solar rooftops on private rental properties.
“This is an exciting time of transition towards renewable energy, with households and communities looking for government leadership and support to help them improve energy efficiency and move away from fossil fuels.”
Dave Copeman, Aimee McVeigh, Reverend Andrew Gunton and Heidi Lee Douglas are available for interview.
Media contacts: Jane Garcia (Essential) – jane.garcia@essentialmedia.com.au