“Climate change action needs to happen today. Our children and grandchildren will be paying the high price in the future, not just in money, but with their livelihoods if we fail to turn things around now. We need urgent, science based, climate action. We don’t have to choose between environment and economy – each can coexist and improve the other. Climate change action does not mean sacrifice – it means building, prospering and future proofing. “
1. SCIENCE-BASED CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION & A JUST TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Climate change action needs to happen today. Our children and grandchildren will be paying the high price in the future, not just in money, but with their livelihoods if we fail to turn things around now. We need urgent, science based, climate action. We don’t have to choose between environment and economy – each can coexist and improve the other. Climate change action does not mean sacrifice – it means building, prospering and future proofing. It will lead to lower costs of living, more jobs, and a thriving future.
As a community backed Independent, I am hearing our community wants a transition plan out of coal. We have aging infrastructure and a workforce that’s tied into “last century” coal production. We need a transition plan to ensure the workforce future employment. As the elected member for Monash, I’ll be ensuring a safe and fair transition plan for workers to the renewable energy sector.
Investment in renewable energy:
We can invest in renewable energy and utilise the skilled energy generation workforce & infrastructure that already exists in parts of the electorate.
Constituents of Moe and surrounds have had a longstanding involvement with the Latrobe Valley power industry. The transition to renewable energy and creation of jobs in the renewable sector as coal and gas are phased out will ensure a seamless transition to a successful and sustainable economy.
“ Renewable energy is already cheaper than fossil fuels, employs more people – particularly in regional Australia – and can be rapidly expanded. Australia has many competitive advantages that are the envy of the world: we are the sunniest and one of the windiest countries and have the space and technical expertise necessary to make use of our renewable resources. Tapping into renewable energy can repower our homes, businesses and transport. It can also become the foundation for new low and zero carbon manufacturing industries, tapping into growing global demand.”
(Reference: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/hitting-home-report-V7-210122.pdf)
Investment in renewable green hydrogen energy will provide Australia with an opportunity to build a world-leading renewable export industry, setting up economic prosperity for generations to come.
Australia has the opportunity to get in at the ground level and become a global powerhouse of green energy production and export. But to lead the world, we need to invest.
Electric vehicles
Imagine if you never had to buy petrol again. How much money would this save you in a year?
In rural and regional areas, we tend to do a lot more kilometres on the road than our city counterparts. An increase in the price of petrol affects our hip pocket more than it does for those in the city, that do less traveling and have better access to public transport.
We need tax incentives or subsidies to bring the cost of electric vehicles down to be comparable with the price of petrol or diesel vehicles. In conjunction with a policy for increased subsidies for solar panels (including on rental premises), most people will be able to charge their vehicle from solar at home or at work, at no cost.
Biodiversity:
I will make sure Australia has strong environmental laws to protect our fragile environment and safeguard threatened species from extinction.
This policy will:
Benefit the environment
Create local jobs
Boost the economy
Improve the export market
Lower the cost of living for the community
https://www.thegazette.com.au/news/deb-leonard-offering-a-voice-for-monash