New England voters want Australia to clean up its energy system much faster than is currently proposed, a new election poll has found.
Two hundred locals converged in Armidale to hear the New England candidates’ energy policies.
Six of the electorate’s 10 candidates presented their energy policies in person: independents Tony Windsor, Philip Cox and Rob Taber; Labor’s David Ewings; Mecurius Goldstein from the Greens; and David Mailler from Country Minded. Policies for the other four candidates, including sitting member Barnaby Joyce, were read out in their absence.
Attendees then used their mobile phones to vote on the energy policy they want to see implemented by the next Parliament.
Nearly half of those who attended preferred the Greens’ policy for 90% renewable energy by 2030, zero net greenhouse emissions by 2040 and a strong support for community energy solutions.
The next strongest candidate was Tony Windsor, with nearly 25% of the votes. Only five per cent of people backed the Liberal-National Coalition policy platform of 23% renewable energy and a 26-28% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2030, compared with 2005 levels.
“The people living in New England delivered a strong and clear message for change,” said Adam Blakester, Forum Moderator and Spokesperson.
“The majority of voters want the member for New England to negotiate with the next Australian Parliament a much stronger and faster transition to renewable energy than the path we are currently on, as well as policy to achieve net zero greenhouse emissions.”
Mr Blakester says the forum focused on took this focus on energy because of its significance to the New England Electorate.
“Renewable energy is set to become the largest capital infrastructure development in the region’s history. More than $1billion worth of projects are now confirmed, including the White Rock and Sapphire windfarms, and there is potential for so much more if the next Parliament backs the right policy settings,” Mr Blakester said.
The New England Candidates Energy Forum, held in Armidale on Tuesday 21 June, has been applauded as a great success — for both the quality of the public policy discussion as well as for the highly innovative, interactive and participatory format that was used.
Two hundred people attended the Forum to vote on their preferred energy future for the electorate and beyond. They were able to use a web and SMS technology platform via their mobile phones to comment and ultimately vote on the energy policy priorities presented.
Voters’ deliberations were also informed by five local energy experts — Dr Boyd Blackwell, Dr Astrid Knirsch, Carmel Flint, Dr Chris Blanksby and Jarra Hicks — who outlined the current energy system, human health impacts of climate change, rising risks of mining and the steady rise of renewable energy.
The Forum was funded by Sustainable Living Armidale and Starfish Initiatives and organised in collaboration with the Australian Wind Alliance, Australian Youth Climate Coalition New England, Community Power Agency, Farming the Sun, GetUp!, New England Climate Action Group, New England Wind, Solar Citizens, TUNE FM and Voices of New England.
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