Heat is on Queensland LNP to show its hand on climate and renewables

When I booked a camping trip in South East Queensland for this weekend – the last weekend in winter – I could never have imagined that I’d be camping in 34℃ degree heat.

I’ve lived in Brisbane for most of my life and I’ve never experienced a string of 30℃+ days in August. I’ve always hated winter and the cold, but in the last few years as climate change intensifies, this season has become a safe haven for me where I don’t have to worry about what extreme weather events are just around the corner.

Whether it’s a mini tornado, floods, bushfires or heat waves, where I live in South East Queensland we’ve had it all. Heat waves, like the one we’re experiencing right now, are health hazards for vulnerable consumers who often can’t afford to cool their homes. 

The generous $1,000 electricity rebate from the state government will soon be exhausted for many consumers. That’s why it’s imperative that Queensland maintains its renewable energy targets and has a comprehensive energy plan to drive new renewable energy supply.

Energy policy certainty is vital to address the cause of extreme heat, the burning of fossil fuels, and to keep new energy supply coming online to bring down power prices. 

But right now, just weeks out from the October state election, the Queensland LNP doesn’t have an energy plan – and they also voted against legislating the state’s renewable energy targets. 

This goes against what the majority of Queenslanders want. My workplace, the Queensland Conservation Council, just released new polling showing that 54 per cent of Queenslanders support the state’s current renewable energy targets or think they should be set higher, with 14 per cent unsure. 

Fifty seven per cent agree we need to bring more renewables online quickly to prevent supply shortfalls and bring down power prices, including 53 per cent of regional Queenslanders.

As we’ve witnessed right across Australia, the climate wars and energy policy uncertainty have caused planning delays and lead to worse outcomes for regional communities, our climate and consumers.

If the Queensland LNP is serious about addressing climate change and cutting power bills then they need a comprehensive plan to reach Queensland’s renewable energy targets and drive new clean energy supply.

Alongside this, we’re calling on both major political parties to announce well-funded policies to help renters and social housing tenants access affordable solar energy as well as household energy efficiency upgrades. 

A lot of climate impacts are now locked in so we have a lot of work to do to make sure that all Queenslanders can live in safe conditions. 

As for this weekend, you’ll find me sweating in a tent. 

By Stephanie Gray is senior renewables campaigner at the Queensland Conservation Council.