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Groups Call for Action: Get Victoria Back to Work 

A JOINT STATEMENT released today is calling on the Victorian government to urgently invest in energy efficiency measures, to lower power bills, improve the health of Victorians and generate thousands of direct jobs across the state.

The statement signed by the Climate Council; peak bodies, like the Property Council of Australia; community service organisations, like the Brotherhood of St Laurence; local government alliances; and climate and energy groups, comes ahead of Victoria’s first budget since COVID-19, which will be handed down in a matter of weeks. 

“Victorians are struggling to rebuild from climate-fuelled disasters like the ‘Black Summer’ bushfires and drought. On top of this, in the wake of COVID-19, we’ve faced record high unemployment,” said the Climate Council’s CEO, Amanda McKenzie. 

“With the budget only weeks away, Victoria has a critical opportunity to make smart investments which offer great bang for buck, lower the cost of bills, protect our health and get people back to work,” said Ms McKenzie. 

“Our economic modelling shows that the Victorian government can create thousands of direct jobs over the next three years by investing in energy efficiency, rapidly getting people back to work while also tackling climate change,” she said. 

The joint statement calls on the government to invest in six measures, including expanding the Solar Homes program to include energy efficiency upgrades and investing in upgrading public and community housing to make it warmer in winter, cooler in summer, deliver health benefits and save energy. 

“The Victorian Government has already demonstrated strong leadership on clean jobs, announcing its plans last week to build the largest battery in the southern hemisphere. We’re asking the Government to cement it’s leadership by investing in energy efficiency,” said Ms McKenzie.

The Climate Council’s Clean Jobs Plan found 20,000 direct jobs can be created in Victoria over the next three years, rapidly getting people back into the workforce, whilst also tackling climate change. 

For interviews please contact Communications Advisor, Brianna Hudson on 0455 238 875. 

The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation. We provide authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

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