Gas plan a hard sell for Peter Dutton

New polling reveals Australians think we will cut bills with clean energy, not more gas

Exclusive YouGov polling commissioned by Solutions for Climate Australia exposes a stark disconnect between Peter Dutton’s push for more gas and what voters actually believe will cut power bills. The Federal Liberal Party’s modelling released last night indicates just a 3% reduction in household power bills in around two years time.

Key findings:

• Only 22% of Australians think coal-fired power stations and more gas will reduce energy costs fastest

• 41% back renewables like wind and solar, firmed with batteries and hydro, as the fastest way to lower bills

• Just 14% think nuclear reactors will bring down bills fastest with 23% not sure

• 64% say climate action is important in determining their vote

Quote from Dr. Barry Traill, Director, Solutions for Climate Australia:

"Peter Dutton’s gas plan is unfortunately a lose-lose: locking us into decades of pollution for just a 3% drop in bills, while CSIRO shows rooftop solar and batteries could save households $2,250 a year. With electrification Australian households can be freed from gas bills entirely. Already 40% of our electricity comes from clean, cheap solar and wind.  And this is increasing every year.  Why force Australians to pay for polluting energy when the clean alternative is cheaper, cleaner, and ready to go?"

Why this matters:

Cost-of-living crisis: Gas prices are volatile and tied to global markets while renewable energy like wind and solar offer long-term savings.

Climate toll: More gas = more climate pollution, causing more extreme weather events - as we’ve experienced this summer.  Floods and cyclones in northern Australia, and extreme fires and droughts in the south.  Voters want solutions that tackle bills and climate pollution.

ENDS

For interviews:
Director of Solutions for Climate Australia Dr Barry Traill: 0448 793 334

Notes for editors: