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Australia’s energy policy priorities

July 21, 2023

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Open Access Government investigates some of the energy policy priorities of Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, The Hon Chris Bowen MP, especially clean energy, energy efficiency and electric vehicles

The Hon Chris Bowen MP became Minister for Climate Change and Energy in June 2022 (1) and is also the Federal Member for McMahon, NSW. Chris joined the Federal Parliament in 2004 and has been responsible for various portfolios, including Minister for Human Services, Treasurer, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Immigration. (2)

Australia’s clean energy policies and ambitions

To set the scene, Australia has massively increased its clean energy ambitions since the election of the Albanese Government, the International Energy Agency (IEA) say. The IEA’s Australia 2023 Energy Policy Review says, “the Australian Government has stepped up its climate ambition at the federal level” and underlines the legislated 2030 target and net zero by 2050 as vital steps per the Paris Agreement.

Minister Bowen believes the IEA report shows the Australian Government’s policies place the country on the correct road to ensure a future of clean energy and is on the right track to enable a clean energy future. “This new report is an endorsement of the strong action the Albanese Government has taken on climate change and energy to achieve 82% renewable electricity by 2030,” the Minister commented.

The Minister then detailed Australia’s energy policy ambition to reach net zero by 2050 and examples of strategies and reforms on that road ahead. “I welcome the IEA’s recommendations to strengthen Australia’s policies to achieve net zero by 2050 and I’m pleased we are already making significant progress against many of those recommendations.

“Our National Electric Vehicle Strategy, National Energy Productivity Strategy, and National Building Code reforms will all play a vital role in helping Australia achieve strong climate and energy ambitions.” (3)

Energy efficiency action in Australia

This year, much is happening around what the Australian Government is doing to tackle energy efficiency. For example, did you hear the news in April that the Albanese Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar Program will provide 400 community batteries to assist with reduced household electricity bills whilst also delivering renewable energy and easing pressure on the power grid?

Renewable energy, we hear, is the cheapest type of energy, and as such, the Albanese Government will help deliver it throughout the country. Minister Bowen went on to say: “One in three households in Australia now has solar panels on their roofs. We have the highest uptake in the world, and we can take advantage of that for our grid and for household energy bills.” (4)

In May, we discovered that a priority for the Albanese Government is to make businesses and homes more energy efficient, to ease the cost of living pressures Australians face. The 2023-24 Budget provides over $1.6 billion for energy-saving upgrades to benefit social housing, homes and businesses. (5)

In this spirit, a $125 million investment will assist Australians in purchasing energy-efficient homes. This endeavour will persuade renovators and home builders to build dwellings that meet high energy efficiency standards, including electrification, heat pump water systems and battery-ready solar panels. Minister Bowen added: “Powering homes with battery-ready solar PV, as well as installing better insulation and windows, will help households cut power bills and emissions.” (6)

Encouraging electric vehicles in Australia

There’s much to unpack about electric vehicles in Australia regarding energy policy. For instance, Minister Bowen explained in late April that the Government was working to improve EV infrastructure by setting up a network of fast chargers throughout the country. This comment coincides with the news that the Albanese Government joins the NRMA to build 117 quick EV charging sites across Australia on national highways, ensuring there is a fast charger roughly every 150km.

While EVs are cheaper and cleaner to run, range anxiety has been one of the most significant barriers for Australians when considering whether to buy an EV or not for too long. Minister Bowen provided further detail: “We’re making range anxiety a thing of the past. This project will help close the gaps and known black spots in the network and make it possible to drive from Darwin to Perth, Broken Hill to Adelaide, and from Brisbane to Tennant Creek in the NT. This national rollout will help put more Australians in the driver’s seat of cheaper and cleaner cars,” Minister Bowen remarked. (7)

Interestingly, the Albanese Government offers $40 million for discounted loans on the cleanest vehicles to make buying cheaper and cleaner EVs easier. After the Albanese Government’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy, this funding is a crucial stride forward to increase the accessibility of EVs for all Australians. Minister Bowen provided comment on this government-backed financing.

“Discounted loans are a great way to help Australians buy an EV and grow the first and second-hand EV markets,” Minister Bowen said. “This financing will also help open the way for more manufacturers to supply the cleanest EVs to the local market because the Green Car Loan scheme is available to a wide range of EVs, Minister Bowen added. (8)

Energy policy in Australia ahead

Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, already referred to here is a robust roadmap to a better choice of EVS. It encourages increased use of cheaper-to-run, cleaner vehicles for the country’s people. As part of this, we hear that a Fuel Efficiency Standard will finalise soon. (9)

We wish the Government of Australia well as they commit to a clean energy future, combat climate change and energy to reach 82% renewable electricity by 2030, strive to achieve net zero by 2050, tackle energy efficiency and encourage EV use.