As budget day looms, the message is clear: Help us to electrify homes and vehicles

With soaring power costs, stubbornly high petrol prices and a ‘final warning’ from the world’s climate scientists that the window to address catastrophic climate change is closing, the message couldn’t be clearer: We must ditch expensive, polluting fossil fuels – for both our climate and our hip pocket.

This month the Australian Energy Regulator predicted power prices in Australia could rise by 25%. This was closely followed by the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change synthesis report warning that the pace and scale of current climate action is insufficient, and “deep, rapid and sustained” emissions cuts are necessary. According to the IPPC Chair Hoesung Lee, “We are walking when we should be sprinting”.

Voters sought to empower the federal government to take faster action on climate change and that action can be seen in the passing of the Safeguard Mechanism legislation this week. Tackling large emitters is a step in the right direction, but on the domestic front people are keen to what else they can do.

As the cost-of-living and climate-crises grow, so too does community interest in clean energy solutions. I’m increasingly hearing from my community that they want to make changes in their homes and lives to not only reduce emissions but slash their rising energy bills.

Australian households can save money by electrifying their homes and vehicles. In fact, the average household in my electorate of North Sydney would save $3,440 per year by 2030, by electrifying their homes and vehicles and powering them with renewable energy.

However, households and individuals looking to reap the benefits of electrification face significant decisions and upfront financial outlay. From installing solar panels, to purchasing a home solar battery or electric vehicle, to replacing gas appliances with efficient electric ones.

These are big investments, and people will inevitably have questions along the way. Questions about how to navigate electric vehicle charger installation in a strata managed building, about home energy efficiency measures or whether to replace their expensive gas heating with a heat pump or split system heater air-conditioning units.

That’s why my community has rallied to stage the North Sydney Clean Energy Community Forum – to provide practical information about clean energy technologies and ways to lower household energy bills.

Together with the Smart Energy Council and local councils, people from across North Sydney will come together to learn about practical ways to cut energy bills and emissions, ask questions, and hear from experts and local organisations championing climate action at our all day renewable energy expo.

People are excited about clean energy technologies that give them more choice and autonomy over their energy – where it comes from, how and when they use it. They are excited about keeping their money in both their own pockets and our local marketplace.

Of course, the burden shouldn’t just be on the individual – we need strong government investment in clean energy, electrification and efficiency solutions, particularly for social housing and low income households. Evidence-based climate policy, and changes to a tax system currently rigged towards fossil fuels, are essential.

That’s why I moved a bill to provide cheaper, cleaner transport and fuels for all Australians, and why I’m calling on the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, to deliver on his promise of a “meaningful and substantial package” of electrification measures in the upcoming budget.

The May Budget is an opportunity to propel Australia’s clean energy transition. Looking overseas, the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act is expected to cut emissions by 40%, through substantial funding to help households move away from fossil fuels and electrify their homes and vehicles.

Europe has responded with the Green Deal Industrial Plan to finance clean tech innovation, manufacturing and deployment, but where is Australia’s response?

I have had thousands of conversations since I was asked to run as a community independent and it is abundantly clear: people are frustrated by the lack of climate action and leadership in Australia, and want to reap the benefits of a clean energy future. At the same time, they are feeling the cost of living pressures and looking for ways to reduce energy bills now and into the future.

So if you’re in Sydney on Sunday April 2nd and want information on clean energy solutions, join our family friendly Clean Energy Fair – and ask questions, take a look at the solutions, check out an electric car, hear from an expert and have some fun. Because we can reduce carbon emissions by supporting clean energy and energy efficiency, and we can slash our energy bills while we’re at it.

The Clean Energy Community Fair, in collaboration with the Smart Energy Council and local councils, will take place at Norths in Cammeray on Sunday April 2nd 10am-3pm. Speakers include Smart Energy Council CEO John Grimes, Fonz Moto CEO and Founder Michelle Fonzarelli.

Kylea Tink is the independent federal MP for the electorate of North Sydney