Our duty to earth
Bold climate action and environmental sustainability
Securing a future for Australia and the world
Climate change poses an existential threat to Australia and humanity – it demands immediate, decisive action. From devastating bushfires and floods to extreme weather events, Australia is experiencing the impacts of a changing climate.
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As one of the world’s highest per-capita emitters Australia has an international responsibility, in line with its obligations (Climate Paris Agreement), to develop a sustainable policy-led pathway to net-zero, while strengthening our global competitiveness and climate resilience.
We owe it to ourselves and the generations (in Australia and Earth) that come after us, to create the policies that protect us from runaway climate change, rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Australia as a mid-sized economy has a vital role to play in influencing countries using existing export levers, creating global green industries and political influence to foster greater collaboration and momentum.
By developing a robust policy and stance, Australia can have an outsized impact to move the world towards an ideal that we can all be proud of, without harming Australian enterprise, but rather fortifying it by aligning our frameworks to harness the enormous wealth of energy, resources and capabilities in our own backyard.
Why should we care about the energy transition?
1. Protecting Australian lives: Climate change threatens Australian jobs, communities, infrastructure, and lives.
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2. Ensuring our energy security: transition away from unsustainable fossil fuels and future proof our energy supply and distribution infrastructure with affordable renewables.
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3. Global leadership: Leading on climate action creates green jobs and enhances international standing. Without coordinated action, the effects of climate change—rising temperatures, natural disasters, and environmental collapse—will only escalate.
My action plan
Achieve net zero ahead of schedule
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Legally binding 2050 net zero emissions act: Australia has made significant strides with the establishment of the Net Zero Economy Authority and the Climate Change Authority, but more is needed to secure our path to a sustainable future. I propose a Net Zero Accountability Act to reinforce Australia's 2050 net zero legally binding target, with mandatory 3-year reviews (where accelerated timelines (e.g. Net Zero 2040) are reviewed and assessed based on technology developments), sector-specific milestones, and independent oversight to track progress and adapt to new climate challenges. This Act will build on existing frameworks while ensuring long-term transparency, accountability, and real action toward a clean, prosperous Australia.
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Transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2035 (90%+ by 2030): While the current Climate Change Act (2022) targets a 43% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, we need to go further. I will support accelerating investment in large-scale solar, wind, bioenergy and battery storage projects, funded through redirected fossil fuel subsidies, proper corporate taxation and partnerships with private investors. We will also expand government support for community-led renewable initiatives, such as microgrids and solar co-ops, ensuring local benefits while building national capacity.
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Redirect fossil fuel subsidies and tax resource extraction properly: Reallocate the approximately $14.5 billion spent annually on fossil fuel subsidies to support clean energy projects, such as solar, offshore wind farms, green hydrogen production facilities, and cutting-edge energy storage solutions. By investing in these areas, Australia can lower domestic energy costs while leading the transition to a sustainable energy economy. Australia’s natural resources belong to all of us, and companies that profit from extracting them should be contributing their fair share, as countries like Norway already do. We must review outdated royalty schemes and tax loopholes, and redirect that revenue into clean energy, environmental restoration, and future-focused industries.
Strengthen climate resilience and ecosystem restoration
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Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure: Such as better bushfire-proof homes, flood barriers for vulnerable communities, and urban cooling initiatives like tree-lined streets and green roofs. These measures reduce disaster recovery costs and protect Australian livelihoods. Support projects like desalination plants and advanced irrigation systems to combat water scarcity in drought-prone areas.
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Support farmers in transition: Provide support for farmers to adopt sustainable practices, such as regenerative agriculture, which improves soil health, reduces emissions, and increases crop resilience. Encourage carbon farming initiatives, where farmers are rewarded for capturing carbon in soils and vegetation, contributing to Australia’s emission reduction targets.
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Protect biodiversity and restore ecosystems: Australia is home to some of the most unique and threatened ecosystems on Earth and protecting them is essential for both wildlife and climate resilience. I advocate for increasing investment in large-scale ecosystem restoration, including reforestation, wetland recovery, and marine carbon sinks like seagrass meadows and mangroves, which store vast amounts of carbon while supporting biodiversity.
Use the global energy transition as an economic opportunity for Australia
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Export green hydrogen and renewable energy: By leveraging Australia’s geographic strengths—our abundant sun, wind, and coastline—we can position Australia as a global renewable energy superpower by expanding infrastructure for exporting green hydrogen and renewable electricity to other countries. Build partnerships with nations transitioning from fossil fuels, such as Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, and secure long-term trade agreements that enhance Australia’s economic resilience and diversify our exports.​​​
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​Energy transition support fund: Establish a dedicated fund to support fossil fuel workers in retraining and transitioning into the renewable energy sector, utilising their existing skills in engineering, logistics, and energy infrastructure to help build Australia’s clean energy export industry.
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The time to act is now. Together, we can secure our future while future proofing Australia’s economy through enabling other countries to decarbonise.
Let’s work together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
