What People Are Telling Me

"When I speak to Australians—families, small business owners, and health professionals—one thing is clear: climate change is not a distant threat; it is a public health crisis happening now. Heatwaves are straining our hospitals, low-income households are struggling with soaring energy bills, and extreme weather is threatening our communities. Yet, politicians continue to treat climate action as a debate rather than an urgent necessity.

Victorians have already shown they are ready for real change, with strong support for renewable energy, energy efficiency programs, and climate adaptation initiatives. But we need leadership at the federal level to accelerate the transition, ensure affordability, and provide long-term certainty for businesses and households alike."

The Reality We Face

Heat-Related Health Crises

Heat-related hospital admissions have increased by 63% in the last decade, from 354 cases in 2011-12 to 579 in 2021-22.

Victoria has seen a 73% spike in emergency department visits during extreme heat days, with seniors, Indigenous Australians, and low-income communities most affected.

Heatwaves are Australia’s deadliest natural disaster, responsible for 78% of all weather-related hospitalisations.

Rising Energy Costs & Fossil Fuel Dependence

Australians are paying higher energy bills while billions in taxpayer subsidies continue to support fossil fuel companies.

Households without air conditioning—especially renters and low-income families—are forced to choose between cooling their homes and affording basic necessities.

Despite global climate commitments, Australia remains one of the world’s largest fossil fuel exporters, contradicting our domestic push for renewables.

Without urgent action, heat-related deaths could increase five-fold by 2050, and the economic burden of extreme weather will continue to rise.

My Commitment

I refuse to sit back while outdated policies fail to protect our people, our economy, and our future. We need bold leadership to deliver real solutions that ensure:

A stable, bipartisan 25-30 year climate plan that goes beyond election cycles.

Stronger public health protections to prepare for extreme weather.

A rapid transition to renewable energy that lowers household power bills.

Resilient, climate-adapted cities and communities.

No more government green lights for coal and gas expansion.

Key Initiatives for a Stronger, Safer Future

(1) A Bipartisan 25-30 Year Climate Plan: Stability Beyond Election Cycles

✔ End the short-term political cycle that destroys investment confidence in renewables.

✔ Enact a legally binding climate framework that provides long-term certainty for businesses, investors, and communities.

✔ Establish independent oversight to hold governments accountable—so no leader can walk away from climate commitments when it’s politically convenient.

(2) Protecting Public Health from Climate Change

Climate change is a public health emergency, and we must treat it like one.

✔ Mandatory hospital heatwave preparedness plans to handle surges in heat-related illnesses.

✔ Cooling subsidies for low-income households and renters so no family has to choose between their electricity bill and their health.

✔ Culturally targeted climate education programs to ensure Indigenous and migrant communities receive life-saving information and support.

✔ Public cooling centers in urban areas to protect vulnerable populations, including seniors and the homeless.

(3) Driving Australia’s Renewable Energy Revolution

Australia has the natural resources and financial capacity to lead the world in clean energy—but we need strong policies to make it happen.

✔ Scale up investment in wind, solar, and battery storage, ensuring 75% of new energy capacity comes from renewables by 2030.

✔ End fossil fuel subsidies and redirect funds to cheaper, cleaner energy solutions that lower household power bills.

✔ Introduce a Green Energy Investment Guarantee to attract super funds and private investors to large-scale renewables and storage projects.

✔ Ensure renters and apartment dwellers can access affordable renewable energy solutions, so the transition benefits everyone—not just homeowners.

(4) Building Climate-Resilient Cities and Communities

We need urban planning and housing reforms to help Australians adapt to a hotter world.

✔ Mandate green infrastructure in new developments—more trees, green roofs, and water-efficient design to reduce urban heat.

✔ Expand tree canopy coverage in low-income suburbs to reduce heat stress in disadvantaged communities.

✔ Invest in regional climate resilience programs, ensuring communities outside major cities are not left behind.

(5) No More Government Green Lights for Coal and Gas Expansion

We cannot claim to take climate action seriously while approving new coal and gas projects.

✔ Phase out fossil fuel exports in a managed transition, supporting workers to move into future-proof industries.

✔ No new coal and gas approvals, with a clear roadmap to shift towards a clean, affordable energy economy.

✔ Require fossil fuel companies to pay for the damage they cause—not taxpayers.

Why This Matters

This is About Leadership, Not Politics

Australia has everything it needs to be a global leader in climate action—natural resources, financial power, and world-class innovation.

The only thing missing is political courage.

This isn’t just about policy—it’s about saving lives. It’s about ensuring that no family has to choose between paying their energy bill and keeping their home cool. It’s about building a future where our children aren’t left to clean up the mess of inaction.

These Policies Will:

-Lower Energy Bills: Investing in renewables and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies will reduce household electricity costs.

-Improve Public Health: Cooling subsidies, hospital preparedness, and public cooling centers will save lives.

-Create Long-Term Jobs: Renewable energy investment will future-proof Australia’s economy and workforce.

-Ensure Accountability: Regular public reporting will track our transition and prevent backtracking on commitments.

My Vision

"I will champion a climate policy that moves beyond half-measures and contradictions. By ending fossil fuel exports, scaling up renewables, and ensuring no one is left behind, we can create a cleaner, more prosperous future for all Australians—one where affordability, sustainability, and fairness go hand in hand."