Australian families welcome federal budget investment in more affordable renewable energy as cost of living pressures increase

Australian families will be grateful for the federal government’s investments in renewable energy sources announced in yesterday’s federal budget.

Australian Parents for Climate Action welcomes measures that will make energy cheaper in the long run for all households, including investment in the power grid, solar banks and community batteries.

“We have been calling for greater investment in renewable energy sources and government support to reduce the rising cost of living,” Nic Seton, Australian Parents for Climate Action CEO, said. 

“The cost of living is biting, and our research shows Australian families are having to make some really tough decisions on what they cut back on at home to make ends meet.

“These measures will go some way to helping families balance their household budgets in the future, but with power prices and the cost of living continuing to skyrocket, we need to see investment in clean energy and transport ramp up drastically.”

An Australian Parents for Climate Action report released earlier this month found that about 95% of Australian households had reduced their spending on essentials such as food or heating in order to manage the rising cost of living over winter. It also found that the same proportion of families wanted more support from governments at all levels to access efficient and affordable energy technologies at home.

On continued subsidies for fossil fuel industries, Mr Seton said: “For a budget that takes climate seriously, it is disappointing to see subsidies continue to flow to fossil fuels at a time when climate harm is already impacting so many families in the floods and fires of recent years. We need to see these funds redirected into opportunities for Australians, not more carbon pollution.

“Australian families know that if governments at all levels invest in renewable energy and support households to do the same, the cost of power and the cost of living will come down for everyone.”

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact us [email protected]     

Read the report here. 

Family case studies may be available for interview on request.