New polling shows Australians strongly support government-owned energy and public investment in renewables.
Data agency 89 Degrees East on behalf of Renew Australia For All, polled thousands of Australians about their sentiments towards climate, energy, and the renewables transition.
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As well as widely-held concerns about climate change and rising costs of energy, a clear majority of those polled voiced support for Australia building its industry around a renewable energy future.
Notable findings from the polling found:
- More than 7 in 10 Australians think the government should invest to help Australian manufacturing facilities access cheaper renewable energy
- Three out of four agree that the government should play a more active role in building and running energy infrastructure, with a strong majority supporting that Australia should have more publicly owned energy infrastructure in the future
- More than 3 in 5 Australians agree that establishing a renewable energy export industry is critical for Australia’s future, and a renewable-powered manufacturing industry would create good new jobs in regional Australian communities
- Support for increased government involvement in establishing renewable energy for domestic industry and export continues to rise.
Michael Wright, national secretary of the Electrical Trades Union—a member organisation of Renew Australia for All—said the data showed Australians strongly supported sovereign power.
“With global energy supply more volatile than ever, and rising power costs pushing our industry to breaking point, Australians know we need more sustainable, reliable energy generation right here,” he said.
“People know that Australian jobs, industry and communities need reliable, low-cost, long-term electricity to be sustainable.
“Sovereign power aligns with the work government has already been doing to provide Australian workers and industry with the solutions they need.
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“This polling shows the vast majority of Australians want a future with Australian industry and jobs powered by renewable energy.”
