The Nationals’ decision to ditch net zero fails to protect the best interests of the regional Australians they claim to represent.
Regional Australians are the most impacted by climate change. Doing less on climate action now will result in more extreme weather events and unnatural disasters.
This backflip also fails to represent regional sentiment. New research of regional REZ in NSW, Victoria and QLD reveals that majority support for renewable energy exists everywhere, despite a 25% perception gap of regional support, weaponised by vested interests exploiting a minority of people who have genuine concerns.
89Degrees East polling commissioned by Renew Australia for All proves that renewables done right, with genuine consultation, have the support of regional Australia.
Quotes from regional Australians:
Glenn Morris, Inverell cattle farmer:
“It’s unbelievable that once again we’re taking a backwards step on climate action thanks to the National party and thanks to Barnaby Joyce. I can’t believe it – don’t these guys understand that we’ve already lost our coral reefs across the world and we’re about to lose our forests.
“For 25 years I’ve witnessed climate extremes getting worse and I’ve tried my best to motivate political and practical change. My great hope was that I could preserve the beautiful world that I was born into so that my children and all future generations could have the same sense of wonder that I experienced. After 25 years I’ve been accustomed to disappointment from so-called leaders. I say to the Nationals and Coalition parties and all politicians in Australia – no more lies and denial of our intergenerational responsibility. We must do better.”
Location: Inverell, NSW
Sophie Nichols, fourth-generation Singleton grazier says:
“This decision shows a total disconnect between Nationals politicians and young farmers living in their electorates.
“You can’t have reliable food production into the future without achieving net-zero. If young farmers are to provide food security, we need strong targets now.
“No farms survive without adapting to new technology, whether that be new genetics or new machinery, yet Nationals politicians want to keep with the old technology of coal and gas. I think this is a selfish move, and it puts the interests of young farmers last.”
Location: Singleton, NSW
Andrew Bray, National Director of RE-Alliance says:
“By the time the next federal election rolls around, around 60% of our electricity will be generated from renewable projects like wind, solar and hydro and many of these projects will be located in rural and regional communities. These communities need political leadership that is practical and looking for solutions, not roadblocks. What they need is support to get the most out of the shift to clean energy.”
Location: Southern Tablelands, NSW
Kate Hook, Co-Convener at Climate 200
“Far from being in the interest of regional Australians, the Nat’s decision to scrap Net Zero shows how little they understand farming communities, who they no longer represent. The Nats are selling their constituents out to further fatten the profits of multinational corporations, many of which already deny us revenue for our schools and hospitals by exploiting tax loopholes.
“Regional Australians want to grasp the jobs and opportunities of the energy transition.
They want it to be fair, they want change to happen “with” them, not “to” them, they want to be central to managing impacts but they also understand that for many, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get farmers through droughts, fires and floods, to keep young people in town and to afford the services that make life easier not harder.”
“The Nationals’ ignorance of the huge opportunity before Australia will cost jobs and it will cost long term incomes in the regions. They’re shunning a rare, massive, investment in regional Australia, playing dumb political games and attempting to mislead people on Net Zero, at the expense of all Australian households and businesses, not just those in regional areas.”
Location: Orange, NSW
Professor Trevor Brown, Convenor of Electrify Armidale and Adjunct Professor in Chemistry at the University of New England says
“Scrapping net zero does not help people in New England; it keeps them on higher energy bills for longer. Through our inclusive energy outreach we see that regional and vulnerable households want practical help to electrify, insulate, drought-proof and improve comfort, not another political fight in Canberra. Walking away from net zero walks away from the people most exposed to climate and energy shocks.”
Location: Armidale, NSW
Media Release: Climate Media Centre
