Signatories come from five party groupings before 28 November poll
More than 50 candidates in Victoria’s 28 November state election have signed the Cheaper Power Pledge, according to Friends of the Earth and Environment Victoria.
The groups said the signatories include candidates from Labor, the Greens, Victorian Socialists, Animal Justice and the crossbench of independents.
Friends of the Earth energy justice spokesperson Anna Langford said the pledge commits candidates to policies that ramp up the clean energy transition in a way that leaves no one behind and provides cost-of-living relief.
Environment Victoria spokesperson Joy Toose said energy bills and broader living costs are front-of-mind issues in the election campaign across Victoria.
She said investment in renewables infrastructure and statewide electrification are proven ways to sharply cut energy costs for Victorian families.
Toose also said nearly a million Victorians are saving an average of $1500 a year with rooftop solar, while many renters and apartment dwellers still miss those savings.
Pledge covers fracking, nuclear and electrification
The first part of the pledge says candidates will back the investment needed to grow Victoria’s renewable energy and storage infrastructure.
It also says signatories will support delivering Victoria’s legislated climate targets as ageing coal plants retire.
The pledge says candidates will protect the constitutional ban on fracking, and won’t support diverting public funding into slow and expensive nuclear power when cheaper ready-to-go solutions already exist.
Another section says candidates will support policies, funding and community involvement aimed at making sure all Victorians benefit from renewable energy.
That section specifically points to groups who often miss out, including renters and people living in apartments.
A separate part of the pledge backs faster electrification of homes and businesses across the state.
It also supports protecting the State Electricity Commission’s place in Victoria’s Constitution.
Friends of the Earth and Environment Victoria said the multi-party support shows a shift in the election contest on energy policy.
The groups argue that candidates from across Victoria are committing to cut household power bills and speed up the state’s move to renewable energy.
Langford said more than 50 candidates had already signed and others still had time to join before the 6 November deadline.
Toose said the groups welcomed commitments to cleaner, cheaper power in electorates across Victoria, linking that support to lower household costs and the state’s energy transition.
Related Articles
Related: Victorian doctors strike
