“Despite the federal election, mainstream Australians’ still simply do not believe net zero is in their interests. At a time of record and rising energy bills, 79 per cent want affordability and reliability as the government’s focus,” said Daniel Wild, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs.
Today, a new poll commissioned by the IPA, undertaken by the independent research firm Dynata, reinforces that the vast majority of Australians support cheaper and more reliable energy over unachievable emission reduction targets, a view that has been consistent since 2022.
When asked, “What should be the main focus of the federal government’s energy policy?”:
- 56 per cent responded with ‘affordability’, compared with 57 per cent last year and 41 per cent in 2022
- 23 per cent responded ‘reliability’, compared with 24 per cent last year and 31 per cent in 2022
- 21 per cent responded, ‘meeting the net zero emissions by 2050 target’, compared with 19 per cent last year and 28 per cent in 2022
“This is yet another wake-up call for the political class who push net zero on the rest of us. That just one-in-five Australians believe net zero should be the priority of our energy policy demonstrates the total lack of mainstream support,” said Mr Wild.
Recent IPA analysis revealed that the Australian Energy Regulator’s default market offer has risen by as much as 50 per cent for energy customers in parts of the nation since 2022.
“This data proves the federal election was far from a referendum on net zero. Australians have maintained a consistent view on the disaster that is net zero over the last three years, a clear repudiation of the energy policy held by both major parties,” said Mr Wild.
When asked, “Australia should pause its commitment to the policy of net zero emissions by 2050 until we have enough energy supplies to avoid blackouts”:
- 58 per cent agreed, compared with 54 per cent last year and 61 per cent in 2022
- 21 per cent were unsure, compared with 26 per cent last year and 22 per cent in 2022
- 21 per cent disagreed, compared with 20 per cent last year and 17 per cent in 2022
The polling also showed that 98 per cent of Australians would refuse to pay more than $500 a year to meet net zero targets, 48 per cent would refuse to pay a single cent.
“It would be erroneous for our leaders to believe that mainstream Australians are happy and willing to wear the costs of a policy demanded by inner-city elites, and that will make no difference to global emissions,” said Mr Wild.
“Australia has previously benefited from some of the lowest consumer electricity prices in the industrialised world, but it now has some of the highest. Decades of poor decision making, based on flawed and misleading advice and ideology, is crushing the most productive sectors of our economy.”
“Leadership is needed from Canberra. It is well past time to drop disastrous and destructive net zero policies that are driving up power bills. Unfortunately, this winter, net zero will force many Australians into a difficult choice between heating or eating,” said Mr Wild.
To download the IPA’s research click here.
