PARENTS ANGRY QUEENSLAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AT THREAT AS NATIONALS UNDERMINE NET ZERO PLEDGE

Parents in Queensland say statements made by Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate for Flynn, Colin Boyce, backing away from the government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 show how out of step the LNP is with the community.

Mr Boyce has reportedly called the Morrison government's commitment to net zero by 2050 a "flexible plan" with “no legislation attached to it”.

Hervey Bay mother-of-two Bianca Sands says parents want strong climate policy from political leaders and candidates.

“As a parent raising kids in regional Queensland, I am angry that members of the Liberal National Party would continue to put the brakes on the opportunities for my kids to have a prosperous future here,” Ms Sands said.

Ms Sands represents 100 parents and carers in Hinkler, the neighbouring electorate to Flynn, currently represented by Nationals MP Keith Pitt, Minister for Resources and Water.

Ms Sands is leading a campaign to get candidates in her electorate of Hinkler to support the jobs and cost savings of renewables, by pledging to support a tangible policy of solar power and batteries in schools and early childhood centres.

“Three federal election candidates for Hinkler have already pledged their support for Solar Our Schools, including Labor’s Jason Scanes, the Independent Jack Dempsey, and The Greens’ candidate Andrew McLean," she said.

In Queensland, Liberal National MP for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has signed the pledge, as have candidates in Blair, Maranoa, Hinkler, Brisbane, Ruan, Bonner and Fadden, including the United Australia Party’s Dr Serge Diklitch.

“What this Solar Our Schools pledge shows is that candidates from across all political spectrum support sensible, shovel-ready job creation projects in Queensland,” Ms Sands said.

“Queensland has a great legacy of energy jobs, and we need to keep at the front of the pack internationally and embrace renewable energy opportunities so we don't get left behind. Liberal National Party candidate Colin Boyce is totally out of step with the community by considering stepping away from net zero by 2050 commitments.

“There is a clear choice this election between voting for candidates who want to help Queensland become a renewable energy hub, and candidates who want to block Queensland’s economic progress.“

For further comment or for more information contact Bianca Sands on 0422 911 477 or Emily Watkins on 0420 622 408.

Bianca is the local group leader for Australian Parents for Climate Action.

Background:

Australian Parents for Climate Action has 30 local groups around Australia where local parents volunteer to represent sensible climate solutions to political candidates and their community.

Solar Our Schools Pledge:

In the lead-up to the federal election, parents and carers around Australia are asking all federal election candidates to pledge their support for the rollout of solar and batteries for schools and early childhood centres, in their electorate and nationally if elected.

Solar Our Schools will:

• Create 7000 renewable energy jobs around Australia,
  Could enable another 4000 teaching jobs using savings from energy bills, directly addressing the national teacher shortage.
  Save 1.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions from going into the atmosphere each year.
  The list of candidates who have pledge to Solar Our Schools is here.