Turnbull electorate ranks second-last in Australia solar uptake

Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull might have solar on his own rooftop, but new data has revealed the PM’s own electorate, the inner-city Sydney seat of Wentworth, ranks second last in the whole of Australia for uptake of residential solar.

In a poll of 788 residents across the federal electorate of Wentworth, survey group ReachTEL found that 63.5 per cent of respondents were more likely to vote for a party with a policy to transition Australia away from coal-fired power to 100 per cent renewables by 2030.

Another 47 per cent said they would be less likely to vote for a party that was holding back this transition, the survey found.

Renewable energy advocacy group Solar Citizens – who this week petitioned Turnbull’s office for a clear vision for a 100 per cent renewable powered Australia – said the findings of the poll were a “wake up call” for the PM.

“The data clearly shows that the Prime Minister’s own electorate of Wentworth, ranks second last out of every Australian electorate for uptake of solar power,” said Solar Citizens’ national director Claire O’Rourke.

“It’s abundantly clear that there’s a great deal of work to do in his electorate to meet the demands and wishes of his constituents on renewable energy.

“What is truly fascinating is how important people think renewable energy is,” O’Rourke added, pointing to the survey’s finding that 12.2 per cent of those polled said the issue of ‘renewable energy’ could influence their vote at the next federal election, ranking it higher than national security and health.

“Large numbers of people’s voting intentions are clearly being influenced by political decisions and policy measures on renewables by the major parties,” she said.

“The Prime Minister should note that 6.2 per cent of voters in Wentworth surveyed are currently uncommitted to their vote, and 28.6 per cent are just ‘somewhat committed’.”

Meanwhile, the Solar Citizens’ petition – signed by more than 10,000 people – was delivered to Turnbull’s office on Thursday, alongside an oversized “Room for Improvement on Solar and Renewables” certificate.

Details on the petition can be found here