Australia now has its first political party dedicated entirely to the cause of renewables, with the launch of the Renewable Energy Party in NSW on Tuesday.
The party, which says it intends on fielding candidates in every state and territory at the next federal election, was launched by a group of like-minded north-coast NSW citizens in Lismore – a city that, itself, has a long and impressive record on renewables.
In a formal media statement released on Wednesday, a spokesperson said the Party would give renewable energy in Australia “grass roots representation”, while also bringing a consumer’s perspective to the national energy debate.
“The Renewable Energy Party will speak on behalf of the many Australians who believe that climate change is simply the most important issue we face,” the statement said.
“(It) has been formed to highlight the differences between the favourable treatment given to the fossil fuel industries by government and the difficulties faced by the emerging renewable energy industry.
“Currently, Australians are paying as much as $1,000 per year for electricity and gas connections – before we even turn on our appliances. On top of that, the major energy companies pay 6 to 8 cents for solar power exported to the grid while charging four times that amount for customers to buy it back.”
The first step for the newly formed party, however, is to sign-up the 500 members required to obtain federal registration – a task it is tapping social media to achieve.
“Membership is not likely to be a problem,” said campaign manager, Jim Moylan – a seasoned minor party campaigner who has previously represented the WA-based HEMP Party, and stood as a candidate for the Senate.
“Aussies are really passionate about climate change,” Moylan said. “Our Facebook page has gone-off like a skyrocket. All we did was set up a news-feed to climate change news – and a big audience appeared.”
Founding Renewable Energy Party member and National Coordinator, Byron Bay-based defamation lawyer Peter
Breen, is also experienced political player, serving in past roles as an independent member of the NSW Parliament (Legislative Council), as well as a member of both Labor and the Liberal parties.
Breen has also previously represented the “Peter Breen – Reform the Legal System” party, and was most recently the legal and policy adviser to the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party’s Senator Ricky Muir.
