In May 2022, nine years of Coalition federal government was brought to an end by a turn back to Labor, underpinned by an unprecedented surge in support for the climate-forward policies of both the Australian Greens and for a handful of newcomer independent MPs, dubbed Teals for their mix of Liberal (blue) and green policies.
Three years later, consumer energy policies have taken centre stage in the run up to the May 03 federal election, with voters looking for policies that will drive down the cost of living.
With the major parties and the Greens having set out their main consumer energy policies, and in light of the fact that the 2022 election was so heavily influenced by votes going to the various “teal” candidates, we take a look at where Australia’s key independents stand on consumer energy and cost of living.
Allegra Spender
Independent candidate and federal member for Wentworth in NSW, Allegra Spender, is running a re-election campaign focusing on reducing both the cost of living and climate change.
As a cornerstone of her campaign, she is championing the “Permanent Energy Bill Relief Plan” that would offer 10-year zero interest loans, worth up to $A25,000 each, for around half a million homeowners to “greenify” their properties, including through home electrification, or getting off gas, and installing solar and batteries.
Spender is also proposing incentives to encourage landlords to install solar, batteries and efficiency upgrades in 276,000 rental properties – a detail that is, so far, notably absent from Labor’s plan.
Spender believes her plan would not only reduce household electricity costs, but could firm up the country’s electricity grid through the deployment of up to 300,000 home battery systems over the next five years.
Spender was this week marked an 82/100 on the Australian Conservation Foundation’s (ACF’s) 2025 election scorecard, rating party and individual climate and nature policies. (See more on the ACF scorecard here.)
Listen to Solar Insiders interview with Allegra Spender this week, here.
Zoe Daniel
Zoe Daniel was elected as the federal member for the Liberal Party stronghold Goldstein electorate at the 2022 Australian federal election, as one of the “teal” independents who ran on a platform of climate action.
This time around, Daniel continues to advocate for “substantive policy action on climate change,” including through a push for increased federal government funding to support the electrification of households – backed by support for solar and batteries.
In particular, Daniel is calling for the introduction of regulatory requirements for property owners to offer and provide their tenants with electrified homes.
In line with data from the Climate Change Authority, Daniel also wants to accelerate Australia’s transition to net-zero, by implementing a target to reduce up to 75% emissions by 2035.
Daniel received an 85/100 from the ACF election scorecard.
Sophie Scamps
Sophie Scamps, another Teal independent was elected in 2022 as the member for Mackellar in NSW. Last month, Scamps proposed a Commonwealth home battery rebate subsidy very similar to Labor’s for discounts of up to a third of the cost of a household battery, but capped at $5,000.
As a staunch climate advocate, Scamps has called for the abolishment of fossil fuel subsidies alongside an end to offshore drilling.
Similarly to other independents mentioned, Scamps has advocated for Australia to fast-track its transition to net-zero and become a “renewable energy superpower” by producing 85% of its energy through renewables by 2030.
Scamps received an 86/100 from the ACF election scorecard.
Monique Ryan
Monique Ryan is the member for Kooyong, after winning the key seat in Victoria from the then Coaltion government’s federal treasurer and one-time energy minister, Liberal Party MP Josh Frydenberg.
Ryan, too, has advocated for national emissions reduction of at least 75% by 2035, and an end to new fossil fuel developments and fossil fuel subsidies in Australia.
On consumer energy, Ryan supports the introduction of a national home battery rebate and last year hosted a “Bring Your Bill” drop-in session in Kooyong, connecting consumers with community organisations to help with questions about cost and supply of energy.
Ryan received a 92/100 from the ACF election scorecard.
Zali Steggall
Independent parliamentary member for Warringah, NSW, Zali Steggall, famously unseated former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in the 2019 federal election after recognising that moderate Liberal voters were increasingly in favour of action on climate change – and increasingly frustrated by climate deniers dominating the party.
Last year, Steggall issued her support to Spender’s initial “People Power Plan”, which sought to reduce residential electricity bills through the introduction of zero-interest loans for home renewable systems, such as rooftop solar.
Steggall has previously proposed a five-step plan for Australia to reach net-zero, which included a medium-term target to cut emissions by at least 60% by 2030.
Steggall received a 93/100 from the ACF election scorecard.
Nicollette Boele
The current Independent representative for North Sydney, Kylea Tink, although not running for re-election, previously committed to working towards a plan to achieve at least a 60% emissions reduction by the end of the decade.
During her term, Tink prioritised consumers and last year launched her “Powering to Net Zero Energy” plan – a guide outlining government incentives to help electrify homes and businesses in North Sydney.
She had hoped to turn the seat of North Sydney into Australia’s first “Net Zero urban Energy Zone” through the transition to a fully electrified community before 2035. However, the seat has since been abolished and divided between the seats of Bennelong, Bradfield and Warringah.
After announcing her intentions to not run for re-election, Tink has thrown her support behind Independent candidate Nicolette Boele, who is hoping to become Bradfield’s latest parliamentary member.
Perhaps aiming to appeal to both Labor and Coalition voters, Boele wants to see federal investment in household batteries, but has also called for the establishment of a national gas reserve dedicated to domestic use.
Boele received a 91/100 from the ACF election scorecard.
Kate Dezernaulds
First time campaigner and independent candidate for Gilmore in NSW, Kate Dezernaulds, launched her election bid in February focusing heavily on the local community.
“We need bold, practical action on climate change to safeguard our community and future generations,” said Dezernaulds, as part of her campaign announcement.
“I’ll fight for investment in renewables and a just transition to clean energy that benefits everyday people, not multinational corporations.”
Dezernaulds praised the Labor government’s Energy Efficiency Grants scheme for small and medium sized businesses and has said she’ll be “monitoring their accessibility for businesses in Gilmore.”
With the adoption of EVs in Gilmore remaining low, Dezernaulds has called for increased investment in charging infrastructure coupled with targeted support for regional drivers, businesses and farmers.
Dezernaulds received an 86/100 from the ACF election scorecard.
Caz Heise
Having been under National Party control since the early 1980s, independent candidate Caz Heise will be hoping Copower elects its first ever “teal” candidate come election day.
Heise, who has worked in nursing and midwifery for over two decades, wants increased household access to solar, battery storage, and efficient electric appliances.
“Households should have the ability to generate, store, and control their own power – not be at the mercy of corporate energy giants driven by greed,” Heise says on her campaign website.
If elected, Heise has said she will work to put an end to native forest logging and increase funding for reforestation.
Heize received a 97/100 from the ACF election scorecard.
Deb Leonard
Independent candidate Deb Leanoard is contesting the key seat of Monash that’s currently held by Russell Broadbent.
Although Broadbent claimed the seat for the Liberal party in 2019, he became an independent in November 2023 after losing support from his party.
Similarly to Heise, Leonard has advocated for lower electricity costs through the expansion in solar and battery subsidies for homes and businesses.
Leonard has received funding for her campaign from Climate 200 – an organisation providing funding for community-backed independent candidates running election campaigns focusing on reducing climate change and advancing climate policy.
Leonard received an 88/100 from the ACF election scorecard.
Andrew Wilkie
Andrew Wilkie, current Independent member for Clarke, Tasmania, is seeking re-election in May and has consistently spoken out against the continued use of gas and fossil fuels in Australia.
“Gas is a fossil fuel, not a transition fuel … whilst carbon capture and storage has a long history of absorbing tax payers money for little benefit to the climate”, Wilkie said in a 2020 address to federal parliament.
More recently, Wilkie pushed for an amendment to the federal government’s “Future Made in Australia Bill” to close a loophole prohibiting any future investment in fossil fuels, nuclear power or carbon capture and storage.
Wilkie received a 96/100 from the ACF election scorecard.
Kate Hook
Kate Hook is a relative newcomer to politics who ran as an independent for the NSW seat of Calare in 2022 and came a close second to the then National Party candidate, Andrew Gee. (Gee quit the Nationals at the end of 2022 after the party announced its opposition to The Voice and is now running as an independent, too.)
Hook, a local farmer, has previously worked for RE Alliance, which speacilises in building a bridge between regional communities and developers of renewable energy projects, with a particular focus on giving communities agency and a voice through the development process.
Hook is opposed to nuclear power for Australia and advocates for zero and low-interest loans for rooftop solar, batteries, and energy-efficient upgrades, as well as investing in renewables to create local jobs and build stronger regional economies.
Hook also calls for a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy, measures to make electric vehicles more affordable and roll out fast chargers across Calare, stronger rental energy standards, and support for all-electric new homes – as well as retrofits for existing households.
Ellie Smith
Environmental consultant Ellie Smith is an independent candidate running against Coalition leader Peter Dutton for the seat of Dickson, north and west of Brisbane in Queensland. About 64 per cent of dwellings in Dickson have rooftop solar systems.
Smith called on the major parties to develop a bipartisan policy to expedite the installation of home battery systems in Australia in the wake of cyclone Alfred, which left 30,000 homes and businesses in the electorate without power.
As Renew Economy reported here, Smith’s campaign for the seat – which is the most marginal in Queensland, with Dutton holding onto the seat by just 1.7 per cent – rests on a suite of policies geared towards reducing cost of living pressures.
“People in Dickson are sick and tired of hearing that the LNP or Labor will only release their policies closer to the election,” Smith said last month.
“If it’s a good idea, tell us now and work together after the election to make the policy even better.
“This super charged home battery policy should be up and running before we enter the high winter billing period and to insulate customers from any potential energy bill increases on July 1.”
Helen Haines and the origins of the Cheaper Home Batteries Bill
Helen Haines, Independent federal member for Indi, Victoria, last week welcomed Labor’s battery rebate, having campaigned for a national discount on home energy storage since her appointment in 2019.
In 2022, Haines was the first to propose a Cheaper Home Batteries Bill to parliament as a private member’s bill, which, if implemented, could reduce the cost of a standard household battery installation by around $3,000. It was seconded by Steggall.
Haines has since called on the Coalition to match the home battery rebate commitment from Labor.
The Independent member has also advocated for an increase in funding for microgrid development in rural communities, alongside the reduction of gas dependence in the country’s manufacturing sector.
You can hear an interview with the community independent Kate Hook running in the Calare electorate on the SwitchedOn podcast below, or wherever you get your podcasts.
