Policy: energy and environment
As your independent candidate for Corangamite, I am standing on a platform of Integrity, Equity and Climate Action. These are things that I have always stood for, in my time as chairperson of the Bellarine Landcare Group, as a community volunteer, a mother to three children that deserve a beautiful future, and as an agricultural scientist that cares deeply about environment.
When it comes to the questions around energy and environment, in brief, these are my overall values, views and proposals:
- Champion renewables and cut pollution: Power everything we can with clean, cheap energy from wind and sun
In my policy: Energy that doesn’t cost the Earth, I articulate the many ways we should be investing in Australia as a renewable energy powerhouse, and rejecting the wrong energy decisions. These policies will be formally released on my website in the coming days. - Reject nuclear: Ensure Australia’s energy future is renewable, not radioactive
I soundly reject a radioactive future for Australians. I will be advocating that we maintain national prohibitions to nuclear power production, protect the Ottways from on and offshore gas drilling, terminate the gas terminal proposal in Corio Bay, and oppose the Lara waste to energy incinerator. More about nuclear here. - Stop the climate wreckers: No more green lights for big coal and gas polluters
It is incongruent of the Labor government to be acknowledging the importance of climate action, yet still be green-lighting gas and coal developments that see our carbon emissions continue to climb. If elected, and also if I am not, I will be advocating that no more new coal or gas developments are to be approved. I will be standing in the way of subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, making sure resource companies are paying for the resources they are extracting, and I will be requesting that they all pay their fair share of tax. - Save nature: Stop bulldozing the bush
The Bellarine and Surf Coast have such incredible natural assets, and it is so important that we work to protect and better connect our remnant vegetation. To date, I have been engaged in the community consultations occurring around the distinctive areas and landscapes driven by the Victorian government, and as a federal member, I will continue to advocate for protection our bushland and greenscapes at all levels.
Other related proposed actions include:
- Immediate investment, through subsidies and low interest loans, to reduce the upfront cost to businesses, individuals and families upgrading their homes and facilities to be more energy efficient and install rooftop solar and batteries.
- Immediate investment, through subsidies and low interest loans, to reduce the upfront cost to businesses, individuals and families upgrading their homes and facilities to be more energy efficient and install rooftop solar and batteries.
- Provide support to landlords to meet mandatory minimum energy standards for rentals.
- Support Rewiring Australia’s plan to Electrify Everything for everyone.
- Fund Climate Safe housing programs so our elderly, people with disabilities, and struggling families have access to support that insulates and electrifies their homes, reducing their energy costs.
- Improve the skills and jobs in the renewable sector by expanding and diversifing apprenticeship training, and Free Tafe, to meet the current and future needs of the renewable energy sector.
- Incentivise and improve the accessibility of electric vehicles by supporting the new vehicle efficient standards (that the Coalition has said they will revoke), and stopping Australia being a dumping ground for the world’s fossil fuel hungry fleet.
- Ensure that we are improving how we protect biodiversity and prevent further species loss by advocating for improved resources for environmental management, including secure and ongoing funding for Indigenous Rangers
I hope that this information has been of assistance when it comes to making your decision about who to vote for in this coming election.
~ Kate Lockhart