30 October 2018
Climate and energy policies could decide fate of Monaro election in March
What parties and independents offer in terms of climate policy may determine who wins the marginal seat of Monaro at the March state election, new polling shows.
ReachTEL polling commissioned by the Nature Conservation Council this month found the Nationals and Labor were neck and neck in the race for Monaro, with a two-party preferred vote of 51% and 49% respectively.
“The poll found twice as many voters in the Monaro wanted their MP to support solar, wind and storage over coal power,” Repower Monaro spokesman Dr Frank Briggs said.
“Mr Barilaro has been an outspoken supporter of coal and nuclear options, so it was heartening to hear him speak more positively about renewables recently.
“We hope the climate and energy platform the National Party takes to the next election reflects those views.
“A transition to wind and solar, backed up by batteries and pumped hydro, will bring jobs and investment to regional NSW, while bringing down emissions, so it’s a win-win situation.
“Almost 57% of people said they were more likely to vote for a candidate who supports increasing solar and wind power and reducing coal power.
“By contrast, only 23.8% said they were less likely to vote for someone with those policies.
“People in the Monaro clearly want their MP to promote clean energy, reduce climate pollution and seize the jobs and investment opportunities renewables offer.
“With only five months to polling day, we want all candidates to embrace cleaner alternatives that voters clearly want.”
KEY RESULTS
- The result is too close to call. National Party is on 51% and Labor is on 49% two-party preferred. At the 2015 election, the Nationals' John Barilaro won 52.5% of the two-party preferred vote.
- 9% have not yet decided how they will vote, so winning their support will be critical.
- 4% are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports more solar and wind power and less coal power. Only 23.8% say they are less likely to vote for a candidate who supports more solar and wind power and less coal power.
- 8% say the NSW Government is not doing enough to act on climate change. Only 32.8% say it is.
- 9% say we must replace coal-burning power stations with clean energy.
- 8% of people say we should transition from coal to renewables by 2030.
Tags
Climate and energy
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