A few days ago, I wrote to the Prime Minister to request that he consider an early election.

To begin this week's newsletter, I wanted to explain why. 

Our nation is undergoing a sweeping economic transformation as we move towards a low carbon future, based on our rich natural endowments of renewable energy resources.

The decisions we make in the next five years will determine whether Australia attracts tens of billions of dollars of investment and tens of thousands of jobs over the next five decades. 

Which is why I share the business community's dismay at Peter Dutton's announcement that he will abandon our 2030 emissions reduction targets and build seven nuclear reactors. This plan would delay our emissions reductions by decades, deter billions of dollars of planned investment in renewables and increase the cost of energy for Australians. 

The business community has made its voice heard. The Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group, and the Investor Group on Climate Change all sounded the alarm, saying Peter Dutton was scaring away billions of dollars of investment in projects that would not only help Australia tackle climate change but also underpin economic prosperity for the next generation. 

Even coal and gas companies, represented by the Australian Energy Council, expressed concern. 

At a time when economic certainty is needed, Peter Dutton has instead reignited the climate wars, putting at risk Australia's transformation to a clean energy economy. 

That's why I wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The stakes have never been higher leading into a federal election. We have a tremendous opportunity to move to a clean energy economy and become a major exporter of low carbon steel and aluminium, but that transition depends on energy policy certainty. 

You can read the full letter here.

In this newsletter, I'll share an update on the past fortnight in Canberra as well as some information about upcoming dates for my Pop-Up Offices.

Contentious debates in Canberra

It was a policy-heavy fortnight in Canberra with many key pieces of legislation up for debate.  

Many of you will be interested in the government's plans for a new Environmental Protection Agency which passed the House of Representatives last week. The crossbench pushed hard to see greater protections for the climate and environment in the Bill, and we were deeply disappointed to see many of those concerns ignored. You can watch my speech on the legislation here.  Rest assured, I will continue to advocate for stronger environmental protections – including an end to native forest logging.  

There was also heated debate this week over the government's plans to dramatically cut the number of international students permitted to study in Australia. This has significant implications for university funding, and will have flow-on effects to their staff and their research programs. I've been working with the universities to ensure these changes don't threaten their status as world-leading education and research institutions.

The need for a housing solution

Last week, I also spoke on the government's latest housing legislation. I called on the government to do more to address renting and housing affordability.  

We are in the middle of an unprecedented housing crisis that has been decades in the making, reflecting a lack of planning and policy failure by the major parties. When I was in my twenties, a house cost four times the median income – now it costs nine times. Young people are rapidly losing hope of ever owning their own home.

Vacancy rates have plummeted and rental costs have soared, putting many people into severe housing stress and at risk of homelessness. The fastest growing group of people at risk is older single women, who retire with less superannuation, and who are being priced out of private rentals, due to the housing crisis. 

Housing is a critical issue and one where the major parties have let us down for a long time. I'm focusing on this as a matter of priority and will have more to say very soon. 

Julian Assange is home

A highlight of the past two weeks in Canberra was the release from prison of Julian Assange, a man many in our community have long hoped would one day be free. 

Mr Assange's detention in a high-security prison in London for over five years had attracted international criticism and in Australia there has been (rare) cross-party support for his release. I've caught up with Julian's family and lawyers to congratulate them for their hard work and dedication on his behalf. I'll continue to advocate for freedom of the media and for better whistleblower protections. 

Upcoming events

Over a dozen new Pop-Up Offices added

With parliament in winter recess, I can get back to holding my Pop-Up Offices across our community. Check my website for the location of a Pop-Up Office near you. 

Click here to find your nearest Pop-Up Office. 

Electrify Boroondara: Renters draught-proofing workshop

Winter can be a particularly tough time for renters, but there are some simple measures that tenants can take to stay warm and lower their energy bills this winter.

Electrify Boroondara has organised a free workshop where guest experts from the Sapien Group will walk renters through draught-proofing their rental property.

This hands-on demonstration will offer low cost, practical steps to reduce heat from escaping your home in winter and keep your home cool in summer.

Learning with other renters, you will learn how to find draughty areas and receive a free draught-proofing kit, for your rental home.

Click here to RSVP to the event, on Monday 29 July from 6:30-8:30pm at Hawthorn Community House (32 Henry St, Hawthorn).

Please don’t hesitate to contact my office at [email protected] if you have any thoughts or questions.