Hi Allegra,

As I write to you, leaders across the world have gathered in Dubai for COP28, the United Nations' annual climate change conference.

There’s already been some positive news. Australia joined 117 other countries in a pledge to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030, and leaders have agreed to operationalise a loss and damage fund to help countries most affected by climate change – something I have argued for.

But there are also worrying signs. New data shows countries are failing to report their emissions accurately, and the UAE’s COP President has questioned the need to phase-out fossil fuels.

The next few days will be crucial, as we get more details on the progress being made against the Paris Agreement, and countries make new commitments to reduce emissions. Watch my COP28 update here.

Back here in Australia, I’ve been fighting hard for stronger climate action and environmental protection, and to accelerate measures to reduce your power bills. Read on for more details.

A People Power Plan to lower energy bills.

With cost-of-living biting hard, taking action to reduce power bills has been my priority.

The best way to do this is to get more solar on roofs, switch out expensive gas for efficient electrical appliances, and dramatically improve home energy performance.

But this is hard for communities like Wentworth, where 62% of dwellings are apartments and 45% of properties are rented.

That’s why I’ve been pushing for a People Power Plan to lower energy bills, which includes specific support for renters and people living in apartments.

In September, myself and fellow crossbenchers presented the government with a fully-costed proposal to turbocharge the installation of 10,000 additional hot water heat pumps, induction cooktops and energy-efficient heating systems each year. When combined, these reduce power bills by up to $1,600.

To keep up the pressure, I hosted a roundtable with Assistant Energy Minister Jenny McAllister and MPs representing electorates with large numbers of renters, to discuss what more needs to be done.

In a very welcome development, Energy Ministers have since committed to developing a ‘Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap’.

You can read more about how I’m working to reduce your power bills here.

Financial support for home energy upgrades.

Some home energy upgrades can be expensive, but there are significant financial incentives available to people in Wentworth. These include:

• A new trial providing up to $5,000 for apartments in Waverley to electrify – learn more here.
• The option to swap your Low-Income Household Rebate for a free solar system – more info here.
• The $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund – which will provide low-interest finance for home upgrades. I fought hard for this fund to be established, and it will launch next year.

For a comprehensive list of support available, visit my website here.

Wentworth gets electric vehicle ready

Like me, I know many of you want to see more EV chargers in Wentworth. So I’m delighted to report that we’re making progress!

More than 20 new on-street chargers are being opened across Waverley, Woollahra, and Randwick in December and January, as part of a federal government program and thanks to the excellent work of our Councils. You can view the draft site list here and all the EV chargers in our area at plugshare.com.

Four fast-charging hubs are also in development in the east (including at Bondi Beach and Bondi Junction, with the first expected to come online in the next 12 months. There’s also a new fast charger now open at Queen Street in Woollahra.

Our Councils have recently developed and adopted an EV Infrastructure Strategy for the east, outlining the vision and required infrastructure needed to 2030. Councils to have a combined Strategy, and my team and I have been engaging with them in its development. You can get a copy of the adopted strategy here.

For those who live in apartments, $10 million is also now available to retrofit EV charging in your building. Find out more here.

Annual Climate Change Statement Shows Progress, But More To Do

Last week, the government delivered its Annual Climate Change Statement, which showed the important progress we’ve made in this parliament.

Australia’s emissions are now expected to reduce by 42% by 2030 – compared to just 30% under the Coalition.

This is big progress in just 18 months and will be accelerated by the recent announcement of the Commonwealth Capacity Investment Scheme – which will significantly increase investment in renewables and storage.

But it’s clear we’re not going fast enough.

Our current actions are still not enough to meet the government’s own 2030 target – and fall well short of what we need to do to align with the climate science.

Read my full reaction and what we need to do next here.

Strengthening our environmental laws

Hundreds of you have written to me concerned about Australia’s inadequate environmental laws, which don’t protect threatened species, don’t stop native forest logging, and don’t account for the biggest threat to nature – climate change.

The government have committed to reforming these laws, but it’s been slow progress.

Earlier this year, I pressed the Prime Minister in Question Time on the need for action, and last week I met the Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, to share Wentworth’s concerns. I pressed the Minister on the need to expand the water trigger, to take account of carbon emissions when assessing new projects, and to end the carve-outs for destructive native forest logging.

I am working closely with the Climate Council and the Environmental Defenders Office on potential amendments to the government’s legislation, which will come before Parliament next year.

If you want to be part of the public consultation on the new legislation, follow DCCEEW on Twitter for updates on upcoming information sessions.

I’m also backing Senator David Pocock's 'Duty of Care' Bill which would ensure all climate-related policy decisions consider the health and well-being of future generations. You too can support the bill here.

Restoring our Rivers

It's been devastating to see the fish kills and environmental degradation in the Murray-Darling Basin in recent years – but I’m delighted to say that this parliament is now taking action.

Following significant negotiations with the crossbench, the parliament has passed significant legislation to save the Murray Darling Basin. The Bill will ensure more water is returned to the environment and open the door to a new round of water-saving infrastructure projects.

The Bill was opposed by the Liberal and National Parties, who have voted against every meaningful piece of environmental and climate legislation in this parliament.

Join us at a Wentworth sustainability event this summer

• Compost Revolution's Summer Composting, Festive Food-Waste Avoidance and Sustainable Gifts - Thu 7th Dec 2023, 7:00pm.
  

• Transition Bondi's Bondi Community Garden Bee - Tues 12th Dec 2023, 10am.
• Grow It Local's How to Save Seeds for Planting Next Season, with Kat Lavers - Sat 9th Dec 2023, 3pm.
  
  
• Randwick Sustainability Hub's Clothes Swap - Sat 9th Dec 2023, 10:00am

We have some exciting plans in store for 2024, including a month of climate action in March. More details will be announced early next year.

As ever, if you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing me at [email protected].

Allegra