The Renewable Energy Party was recently launched in New South Wales. This new political party will be the first in Australia that dedicates itself completely to the cause of renewable energy.
A spokesperson for the party says that it intended to field candidates in every state and territory in the upcoming federal election. The party was launched by a group of NSW citizens in Lismore who share the same approach towards clean energy. Lismore itself is known for its long list of remarkable renewable initiatives.
Australian Renewable Energy Party pushing for grassroots movements
A spokesperson, in a formal media statement released in the middle of February said that the Party is providing renewable energy in Australia “grass roots representation”, and also injecting the consumer’s perspective into the national renewable energy debate.
“The Renewable Energy Party will speak on behalf of the many Australians who believe that climate change is simply the most important issue we face,” said the Party statement.
“(It) has been formed to highlight the differences between the favourable treatment given to the fossil fuel industries by government and the difficulties faced by the emerging renewable energy industry,” the statement added.
“Currently, Australians are paying as much as $1,000 per year for electricity and gas connections – before we even turn on our appliances. On top of that, the major energy companies pay 6 to 8 cents for solar power exported to the grid while charging four times that amount for customers to buy it back,” continued the party statement.
Membership Goal
The initial step that this newly formed party needs to do is to get 500 people to sign us as party members. This is required for the party to get federal registration. It is using social media to get these numbers.
“Membership is not likely to be a problem,” said Jim Moylan, party campaign manager. Moylan is a seasoned minor party campaigner, who has formerly represented the WA-based HEMP Party, and has run as its candidate for the Senate.
“Aussies are really passionate about climate change,” Moylan said. “Our Facebook page has gone-off like a skyrocket. All we did was set up a news-feed to climate change news – and a big audience appeared,” he added.
Another founding member of the Renewable Energy Party is Peter Breen. He is a Byron Bay-based defamation lawyer and will act as the party’s National Coordinator.
Breen is an experienced political player who served previously as an independent member of the NSW Parliament (Legislative Council), and also a member of both Labour and the Liberal parties.
He has also previously represented the “Peter Breen – Reform the Legal System” party, and was most recently the legal and policy adviser to Senator Ricky Muir who is a member of the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party.
In a related development, the NSW Greens also launched in mid-February a state election policy that aims to help households and small businesses transition from coal-based electricity and gas to renewable energy.
The plan calls for the creation of new public sector agencies that provide financial support and advice to households and small businesses on how they can reduce energy use and how to trade renewable energy in Australia.
You can register to become a member of the party on the Renewable Energy Party website.
