Talent alert: Voters reject nukes, back action on climate change
Climate Media Centre
Climate change remained a key concern for voters as reflected in the historic result of the federal election, in which Federal Coalition leader Peter Dutton lost his seat of Dickson in Queensland.
It’s clear from the result that the next Parliament must replace fossil fuels with renewable power backed by storage, because this is what Australians have voted for.
The following spokespeople are available for media interviews.
To arrange interviews, please contact:
Danielle Veldre +61 0408 972 997 [email protected]
Tim Buckley, Climate Energy Finance Founder and Director
“This was a referendum on energy and debarbonisation. The Albanese government has a clear mandate to double down and go a lot faster, in line with the climate science and the massive opportunities ahead for Australia.”
Location: Sydney, NSW, Gadigal land
Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said:
“The federal election results are a clear rejection of the Coalition’s plans to water down climate action with risky slow and expensive nuclear power, massively expand polluting coal and gas, and weaken our failing nature laws instead of strengthening them.
“Voters in Queensland have resoundingly voted against the Coalition’s dangerous delay tactics, resulting in the loss of at least four LNP MPs including Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. These results should be a wake up call for the Queensland Government, which is currently putting ideology over the will of the people by considering repealing Queensland’s climate targets.
“The Albanese Government promised to fix our failing national nature laws, which are one of the root causes for the mass decline in biodiversity we’re witnessing across Australia.
“It was disappointing that those reforms were not progressed in Labor’s first term, but we are determined to hold the Government to account so reforms are delivered as soon as possible.
“We also expect to see the Albanese Government listen to voters and deliver a strong 2035 emission reduction target that’s aligned with the best climate science.”
Location: Brisbane, QLD - Turrbal and Jagera country
Bronwyn Opie, DIrector CAFNEC
“This was a tightly fought election, and it’s clear climate change was a key issue for voters in Leichhardt. Communities here are living with the impacts every day – from record-breaking flooding and rising insurance costs to sea level rise in the Torres Strait, bleaching on the Reef, and damage to our rainforests.
“The candidate who showed up to our Reef, Climate and Energy Forum – and who engaged seriously with the need for real climate solutions – earned trust in this electorate. People are looking for leadership that listens and acts on the big issues shaping our future.
“There was also community concern about the possibility of nuclear waste storage in Cape York. While that idea has since been walked back, it touched on long-held fears in the region – particularly among Traditional Owners – about threats to land and culture. Communities here want a clean, renewable energy future.
“We congratulate Matt Smith on his win in the unique and beautiful seat of Leichhardt. Far North Queensland communities have made a clear call for bold leadership on climate and nature, and we look forward to working with Matt to deliver.”
Location: Cairns, QLD - lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji and Yirrganydji peoples
Dr. Barry Traill, Director, Solutions for Climate
“The crushing loss to the Liberal-National Coalition was in large part because of their deeply flawed nuclear and climate policies. Voters judged that waiting for expensive nuclear reactors was a fake climate policy which would not reduce energy costs. The federal Liberal and National Parties now need to reflect and work up genuine climate and energy policies to reduce climate pollution.
“The Labor Government now needs to move decisively to build a fast and fair phase out of coal and gas. To best deliver what Australians need to best protect us from climate change.”
Location: Sunshine Coast QLD - Gubbi Gubbi and Jinibara peoples
Serena Joyner CEO Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action
"We are hugely relieved to see the electorate push back against the Coalition's nuclear schemne that would have been a disaster for climate impacted communities like ours.
“Despite Mr Dutton refusing to acknowledge it, climate change is already hurting Australians across the country, and the nuclear plan would have resulted in at least an additional two billion tonnes of carbon pollution being released. To communities like ours that meant losing many more homes, lives and livelihoods to climate fueled fires, floods, storms, heatwaves and sea level rise.
“For a safer future we need urgent climate action that reduces climate pollution this decade. Australians have unequivocally backed Labor’s renewables plan – and we call on Labor to use their strong mandate to be more ambitious on pollution reduction.”
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW - Darug and Gundungurra country
Other spokespeople available for comment include:
Anjali Sharma, founder of the Duty of Care campaign
Location: Canberra, ACT, Ngunnawal Ngambari country
Nic Seton, CEO Parents for Climate
Location: Sydney, NSW - Gadigal land
Andrew Bray, National Director, RE-Alliance
Location: Canberra, ACT - Ngunnawal Ngambari country
Mia Pepper, Campaigns Director, Conservation Council of Western Australia
Location: Perth, WA - Whadjuk Nyoongar country