Last week, David, Dan and Karina met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Defence and Federal Member for Corio, the Hon Richard Marles MP. They gave an update about Geelong Sustainability’s recent growth, expanding reach, and impact with key initiatives such as Climate Safe Rooms and Electric Homes Program.
They expressed the urgency of getting to net-zero and reducing the role of gas and other fossil fuels in the energy transition as fast as possible. They also conveyed our incredible disappointment at the Australian Government’s recent decision to allow new gas exploration permits in the Otway Basin and Southern Ocean.
Mr Marles elaborated on the complex geopolitical context for energy, and the role Australia plays supplying gas to other nations also transitioning to net-zero. While we reached agreement on the importance of getting to net-zero, our views on the need for new sources of gas locally in Victoria to achieve this varied.
Geelong Sustainability is grateful for the opportunity to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister to share our research, progress and positions on how to reach net-zero, and we look forward to continuing our engagement on these important issues.