Congratulations to Carina Garland, the Member for Chisholm

The voters of Chisholm reelected the Labor candidate, Carina Garland, a former academic and unionist, with the aid of Independent and Greens preferences, with a 4.2% swing in her primary vote.

The election period was marked by aggressive disinformation and anti-renewables campaigning, however voters chose progress on clean energy, and support for solar PV and household electrification over the LNP’s energy plan, which included seven completely taxpayer funded nuclear reactors which could have cost up to $600bn. The LNP had emphasised gas expansion, and the shift to nuclear would have capped renewables at 54%.

Vote Climate campaign in Chisholm

Climate action benefits our families, our community and our environment.

Chisholm Climate Action Network led the Vote Climate campaign in Chisholm, supported by member groups ACF Chisholm and Lighter Footprints as well as NGOs and alliances including Renew Australia for All, Asian Australians for Climate Solutions and Doctors for the Environment Australia.

Campaign Framing
The Vote Climate campaign was based round protecting the environment and lowering the cost of living through supporting solar and household electrification.

Campaign Events
Volunteers organised stalls, showed up at festivals and weekly roadside vigils, really upped their game on letterdropping so that the whole electorate received the scorecard for the first time, organised a Candidate Forum based round future energy (code for nuclear vs renewables), and handed out the climate scorecard at selected booths on pre-poll and polling day.

The electorate did indeed say Yes to Renewables and No to Nuclear!

Chisholm Community Future Energy Forum

Check the full presentation video here.

The meeting was moderated by A/Prof Christopher Leung, MBBS, FRACP, Doctors for the Environment.

• Keynotes from Heidi Lee Douglas, CEO Solar Citizens and Peizhi Jiang, Environment Victoria

Featuring

• Dr Carina Garland (ALP)
• Katie Allen (Lib)
• Tim Randall (Greens)
• Kathy Davies (Voices of Chisholm)

The candidates were asked about their support for solar PV, household electrification to lower energy costs especially from the perspective of energy equity for renters and low income. They were also asked about their position on nuclear, shift to renewables, clean manufacturing and clean exports.

A problem – our politicians are still approving new coal and gas

Even though Australia has world leading solar and wind resources, and massive potential for renewables-led exports, our government still is promoting gas expansion. Currently, including exports, Australia contributes a whopping 4.5% of global emissions, continuing to damage our climate.

• Labor is refusing to reveal 2035 climate targets, and the Liberals even the 2030 target – we should know what we are voting for.
• Australia should be a good global citizen and act on climate – let’s protect our Pacific neighbours.

Electrify everything to reduce household energy costs

Electric homes are more affordable and better for our health

Cost of living is high on everyone’s mind. Fully electric homes are less expensive to run. We need representatives who will prioritise household electrification for all.

• Subsidies for efficient electric appliances
• Support for community energy sharing and battery uptake
• Improved EV infrastructure nationally
• Help for renters to access solar

Let’s make the right technology choices 

Nuclear is an expensive distraction – renewables not coal and gas

Australia has the world’s best natural resources in wind and sun. Renewable energy backed up with storage is the least expensive form of new energy.

• Renewables are at 40% now, and rising every day
• Nuclear is the most expensive form of energy, would double our energy bills, and would stop renewables in its tracks
• Nuclear doesn’t stack up financially and and would prolong the shift away from coal and gas
• No public money for nuclear – taxpayers are expected to pay the full cost of the seven reactors
• No new coal and gas approvals. These have continued under the Albanese government

Vote Climate Campaigns really work!

In 2024, Lighter Footprints volunteers helped run the Boroondara Votes Climate campaign, which returned a majority climate-friendly Council, and we helped shift the vote in Kooyong, Higgins and Chisholm in 2022.

Find out more about the value of putting accurate information in the hands of voters on our Vote Climate campaign summaries page.

Climate was the top vote determining issue in 2022

Chisholm, one of the most marginal electorates in the country did not return Liberal MP Gladys Liu – her primary vote lost 7.8%. Carina Garland won the seat for the ALP with an increased primary vote of 4.6%. Support for minor parties increased – the Greens vote increased 1.6% to 12.2%. Climate was the top vote-determining issue according to Vote Compass and the ABC.

Chisholm 2024 redistribution

• AEC profile on the division of Chisholm with links
• Chisholm 2024 map
• Ben Raue’s analysis on the Victorian redistribution
• Antony Green’s analysis on the Victorian redistribution

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