New Labor Cabinet - batteries program from 1 July - now more longterm policy needed, 12 May 2025
The returning federal Labor government today announced the new cabinet including returning Chris Bowen as Minister for Climate Change and Energy who will continue carriage of the $2.3 billion home batteries program, promised prior to the 3 May election to commence from 1 July 2025.
“We congratulate the Labor government and Bowen on their return to government and look forward to continued engagement on both the batteries program and broader climate change policy. This includes updating Australia’s National Determined Contribution (NDC) comprising our national 2035 emissions reduction target,” said ESIA President Ric Brazzale.
“The NDC is due in 2025 under the Paris Agreement and was delayed until after the 3 May election. For ambitious targets to 2035 to be achievable with the right policy settings, we need the government to consult on proven options to build on.
“In the absence of a national energy savings scheme (NESS), the ESIA continues to call on the government to take a longer-term view to extend and expand the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES) beyond 2030.
“We need to fill the long-term national policy gap: to recognise the benefits and support at-scale behind-the meter solar, batteries, smart energy efficient technologies and insulation. The home batteries program will support installation of up to 1.1 million batteries through the SRES up to 2030. With more than 3.6 million homes across Australia now with solar PV, there is plenty more heavy lifting the SRES can do to support solar homes to get a battery after 2030 and use more efficient home appliances and get effectively insulated.
“Industry needs long-term target commitments and mechanisms to get to net zero 2050, so we can invest and build capability to enable rollout at scale over the coming decades to support many more millions of homes and small businesses with the full swag of energy generation, storage and management smarts,” said Mr Brazzale.
“We are greatly encouraged by the leadership on climate action of the returning government and its commitment not to vacate the space.”
… Ends Media contact: Jessica Lynch, M 0417 539 377, comns@esia.asn.au
References:
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/ministerial-arrangements-12may25
https://www.pm.gov.au/your-ministry
(PDF ESIA Media Release)
