January 19, 2024
Parents for Climate welcomes the announcement from Tasmanian and Federal governments to provide matched funding for energy-saving upgrades for 1,600 social housing properties. However, Parents for Climate would like to see this support go further.
Tens of thousands of Tasmanians live in homes which simply can’t handle the state’s cold climate, with low income families the most at risk and least likely to have adequate insulation and climate controls. Parents for Climate’s latest report, Hothouse Australia: Our kids at risk as heat soars, highlights that millions of children, including over 760,000 children living in poverty in Australia, face heightened risks to their health and education from exposure to unsafe temperatures in homes, schools and childcare centres.
There are 11,822 social houses in Tasmania and they represent those most at risk from extreme temperature impacts. Today’s announcement, covering only 1,600 houses and with no apparent funding for bill-busting rooftop solar, doesn’t go far enough. Parents for Climate calls on all governments to coordinate a national plan to lower energy costs for vulnerable households via funding for energy efficiency and a bill-busting rollout of rooftop solar for more low-income homes.
Nic Seton, Parents For Climate CEO said, “This announcement represents significant progress towards protecting vulnerable households against the twin threats of poor housing quality and rising costs. But too many families, including over 760,000 children living in poverty in Australia, continue to face heightened risks to their health and education from buildings which are too expensive to heat or cool appropriately.
“Social housing represents some of the least energy efficient homes in the country, and this announcement does provide significant improvements to 11% of Tasmania’s social housing. Unfortunately, the government has a long way to go to ensure all social housing is safe in a changing climate, and they are yet to fund a full rollout of rooftop solar which makes heating and cooling these spaces genuinely affordable.
“Across Australia, this summer is only the beginning. Extreme temperatures will have significant short- and long-term health effects on vulnerable groups, including children. We urgently need a national plan for managing unsafe temperatures in our communities, including fair and affordable access to energy for vulnerable families.”
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Available spokespeople
Nic Seton, Parents For Climate CEO
For interviews, case studies, or for more information, contact Nic Seton 0407 638 973
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