837 people gather in Western Sydney in meeting with Federal politicians ahead of the budget and election
Sydney, Australia – 14.03.25
837 have gathered in Western Sydney overnight to call on the Federal Government to “deliver” for households on cost of living ahead of the budget and election.
Leaders from across social services, the church, unions and community groups took to the stage with Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen at Westmead on Thursday night, asking him to make a series of commitments to support the community. With the budget announcement just 11 days away, the Sydney Alliance is mobilising communities and urging politicians to commit to transformative reforms that would change the lives of residents.
Among the asks from the Sydney Alliance pushed for were:
An urgent investment of $5 billion for home energy upgrades to ensure everyone - no matter where they live or what they earn - can slash their power bills now and for the long term with solar, batteries and energy efficiency upgrades.
$3 million commitment to invest in mobile community energy hubs - an information service to help Sydney’s linguistically diverse navigate making the energy switch at home.
Joining Minister Chris Bowen on the night was also Dr Andrew Charlton MP Member for Parramatta, Zali Steggall MP for Warringah and Greens Senator Dr Mehreen Faruqi.
Quotes from the Event
Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis, Lead Organiser of the Sydney Alliance
"There can be no doubt in the minds of the crossbenchers, Minister Chris Bowen and Andrew Charlton today that the issues of rental, low-income access to affordable energy and housing are top issues for Sydney. We've given them ammunition to get what we need and what the community of Sydney needs in the budget in 11 days' time, and it's up to Labor to deliver now."
"Whether they're renters or homeowners or in social housing. When it comes down to a more fair housing system, people in Western Sydney, people across Sydney won't be talked down to. They want Governments that listen to them.”
“Tonight, we saw representatives of the Government who are willing to listen, and that gives us hope. What we really want is for them to demonstrate they’re listening by acting in the budget. That's what people in Sydney want, that's what Sydney Alliance stands for, and we're supporting people to take that action in this election."
Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy said on the night
"There’s a budget and an election about to come. It’s a good start that recognises more to do or keeps working together to do. I'm not making a financial commitment on behalf of the treasurer tonight."
"There’s strong support for solar panels, and I see it as one of Australia’s greatest national achievements. We have the highest rooftop solar uptake in the world….Solar rebates have enabled a third of Australian households to install solar, and more homes now have solar panels than gas connections. When we took office three years ago, only one in 240 homes had a battery. Today, that number has jumped to one in 60. Is that enough? No. Is it progress? Absolutely. Do we need to keep pushing forward? Without a doubt."
"Renewable energy is set to overtake coal as Australia’s largest source of electricity for the first time in history—this will happen within the next year if we stay on track. Additionally, renewables will surpass 50% of our energy mix this year. But while this is real progress, there’s still a long way to go, and a big part of that involves households…. we’re only just getting started.”
Dr Andrew Charlton MP for Parramatta representing Claire O’Neil Minister of Housing
"We are looking for ways to continue to support renters. We have made increases and introduced significant reforms to increase rental availability, and we're looking at other ways to increase rent assistance and other support operators."
"Under Labor, that has changed. We delivered the $10 to billion Housing Australia Future Fund. The single largest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation. This will build tens of thousands of new homes per year for those people who need it most.”
-ends-
Photos from the event available upon request.
Contact:
Nicholas O’Connor
Sydney Alliance
0408540721
nicholas@iafpacific.org
