Pages tagged "protect nature"
Climate and clean energy
A renewables-powered future helps protect our environment, reduces the economic burden of expensive, unreliable fossil fuel industries, and limits the harm caused by extreme weather events.
I will continue to advocate for policies that hand over a cleaner, safer future that young Australians and every generation to come can enjoy.
To protect our climate, we need to rapidly reduce Australia’s emissions. I will continue to oppose the development of new fossil fuel projects and advocate for an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Cutting climate pollution also requires accurate measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from industry and greater enforcement of standards, while transitioning away from polluting industries also means reforming our distorted gas markets and gas exports, ensuring reliable and cheap domestic supply without approving any new gas projects.
The transport sector accounts for 22 per cent of our national emissions, and is the fastest-rising source of domestic climate pollution. To decarbonise, we need to reduce barriers to electric vehicle uptake and accelerate electrification of passenger, public and heavy transport vehicles. This requires Australia to place disincentives on diesel and other high emissions passenger vehicles, and grow access to as well as confidence in our electric vehicle public charging network. In this space, I am advocating for federal investment in the Box Hill-Hawthorn bike trail, where fewer cars on the roads means less emissions and harmful pollution.
Climate solutions are also cost of living solutions. We know that clean energy sources, like solar and wind energy, are the cheapest form of new electricity generation – and rooftop solar is the most affordable source of household energy there has ever been. Electrifying our homes and businesses means we’ll spend less on energy, bring down inflation, improve our health, and cut emissions. Setting up the right regulations and government-backed finance structures will give confidence to the market that electrification is central to Australia’s net-zero future.
Caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas, Australians face longer, hotter and more dangerous extreme weather seasons than ever before. These events – climate-fuelled heatwaves, floods, fires and storms - are no longer once-in-a-generation. They happen every year and result in catastrophic environmental, economic and public health outcomes.
As a doctor, I know we can’t take clean air and water for granted. That’s why, in 2025, I hosted more than 100 doctors and parents in Federal Parliament to call out the government’s subsidies of the Middle Arm gas precinct. In November, I put forward an amendment for the government to consider air and water quality in the approval of new polluting projects under the national environment laws framework (known as the EBPC Act). The government voted against this amendment, but I will continue to campaign against new fossil fuel developments which threaten our air, water and way of life.
Since 2022:
- I have successfully advocated for changes to the luxury car tax and stronger fuel efficiency standards, effectively increasing the availability and affordability of electric vehicles.
- I supported the government’s $1.3 billion program for home upgrades and residential electrification, and proposed tax incentives for landlords to upgrade rental properties.
- I have worked with local councils and community groups in Kooyong - including Electrify Boroondara and Lighter Footprints - to support community uptake of household electrification.
My parliamentary speeches on climate change and clean energy
We need stronger action on climate