Policy statement
MEDIA RELEASE
Community Independent Kate Lockhart calls for urgent action on cost of living and climate at Corangamite forum
As cost-of-living pressures escalate for families across Corangamite, Community Independent candidate Kate Lockhart is urging bold policy reform – not short-term band-aids from the major parties.
“Small tax cuts that barely cover a couple of cartons of milk each week won’t fix the housing crisis or bring down energy bills,” Lockhart said ahead of Thursday night’s Cost of Living Forum in Moolap.
Lockhart says that Australia’s tax system is failing everyday Australians, while some of the country’s wealthiest corporations pay little to no tax.
“If the 50 largest companies in Australia paid a minimum 10 per cent tax, we could raise over $60 billion per year – money that should be invested back into communities, housing, healthcare, education, and clean energy,” she said.
Lockhart condemned the $11 billion in fossil fuel subsidies granted by the Federal Government in 2023–24, calling instead for those funds to support affordable housing and a faster transition to renewable energy.
“Climate inaction is already driving up insurance premiums and food prices across Corangamite. We must end fossil fuel handouts, stop risky projects like the proposed gas terminal in Corio Bay and the polluting waste-to-energy incinerator in Lara, and we must protect sensitive environments like the Otways.”
Lockhart reaffirmed her support for a continued national ban on nuclear energy and called for more investment in renewable infrastructure.
“With 40 per cent of Australia’s energy already from renewables – and South Australia on track for 100 per cent by 2027 – this transition is not only possible, but effective and affordable,” she said. “We need leadership that works for the community, not big corporations.”
Lockhart is also championing practical, community-based initiatives to lower living costs and build resilience:
• Better local infrastructure to allow children to walk or ride safely to school and activities – reducing traffic, costs, and emissions
• Flexible work support, especially for carers, women, and people with disabilities
• Urgent housing solutions, including faster planning approvals, support for tiny homes and second dwellings, and higher quotas of affordable housing in new developments
She is also advocating for secure supply chains for building materials and better support for apprenticeships in the region.
“The solutions are there. What’s missing is political courage and a commitment to fairness,” Lockhart said. “As an Independent, I answer only to the people of Corangamite – not to party donors or vested interests.”
The Cost of Living Forum will be held at:
Club Italia, 515 Bellarine Hwy, Moolap
Thursday 10 April at 6.30–8.30pm
→ See also: Policy: Energy and Environment