The political landscape has changed in Menzies!
Congratulation to the new Member for Menzies – Gabriel Ng
The Liberal seat of Menzies did not return Keith Wolahan, but elected a Labor candidate for the first time. Gabriel Ng, a lawyer and former public servant, gained a 3% swing and was elected with the aid of Independent and Greens preferences.
Voters chose progress on renewables, and support for solar PV and household electrification, to the LNP’s energy plan which included seven completely taxpayer funded nuclear reactors which could cost up to $600bn. The LNP had emphasised gas expansion, and the shift to nuclear would have capped renewables at 54%.
Menzies Climate Scorecard information page
Voters deserve accurate information on the candidates climate policies.
The parties and candidates were rated across seven categories, with ratings summarised in a Candidate Scorecard. You can visit the Scorecard information page here, with links to policy summaries and scoring rationale.
Menzies Vote Climate Campaign
Climate action benefits our families, our community and our environment.
Lighter Footprints joined with others to form Menzies for Climate, a new alliance of groups and individual keen to achieve strong action on climate change. Menzies for Climate worked hard to raise the profile of climate as an election issue. A small but determined group achieved a great deal.
The Vote Climate campaign was based round protecting the environment and lowering the cost of living through supporting solar and household electrification. Volunteers organised stalls, letterdropping, a Candidate Forum, and handed out the climate scorecard at selected booths on pre-poll and polling day.
Australia can’t afford to go backwards on climate and energy policy.
- We need representatives who will support households and businesses going electric to save on energy bills and protect our health.
- Protecting forests and biodiversity is a powerful form of climate action, let’s fix our environment laws.
- We can build our economy becoming a clean energy superpower with green manufacturing, exports and future focused jobs.
Menzies Candidate Forum
Which candidates would support solar, improve public transport, protect forests and green spaces and accelerate going electric to lower energy bills?
如果您使用中文，您可以在我们的论坛上使用普通话或者广东话提问，我们有工作人员帮助您翻译。
- You can watch the full presentation video here, with presentations from Gabriel Ng, Bill Pheasant, Joshua Utoyoand Stella Yee at these chapter points.
- Watch Prof David Koroly’s presentation here, with science overlays and quotes
- You can through the event blog, with comparative quotes, stories and images of the night.
- Check out our Menzies forum Facebook album here for comparative quotes, expert links and key moments from the transcript.
Menzies for Climate was supported by Renew Australia for All alliance with the $5bn proposal Energy Bill Savings Plan.
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.
Time is running out. We have to shift our politics!
Australia is vulnerable to increasing climate damage from fires, droughts and floods, according to the latest State of the Climate CSIRO report.
Moving to clean energy and protecting forests will lower costs, increase our resilience, and protect our future.
At this point, we have an opportunity to support the new member for Menzies in accelerating renewables, green manufacturing, solar PV and household electrification, and continuing to challenge our government over expanding coal and gas and fossil exports.
Climate action benefits the whole community
Climate action saves
- Climate action not only lowers the cost of living but protects our quality of life.
- Find out more on our climate and cost of living page
Health is the most important thing we have got
- Acting on climate will improve the health of our communities and those we love
- Find out more on our health and climate page
Why risk nuclear?
- Nuclear is far too slow, far too expensive and will drastically increase climate pollution
- Got a couple of minutes? You can scan through our nuclear information page or dive into the links
Say ‘Yes’ to clean energy
- The shift to abundant, safe sun and wind power is unstoppable
- Clean energy benefits all Australians. Find out more here.
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
Protecting biodiversity and forests is a powerful form of climate action
Climate change puts nature and biodiversity at risk
Australia’s nature laws are broken. Vote for representatives who will protect our land and water.
- Australians at risk from increasing heat, bushfire and floods
- Moving away from fossil fuels will help reduce damage to nature and our health
- Protecting forests is a very effective way to reduce emissions
- Our cities are warming, we need to enhance our green spaces
- Shifting to renewables will clean our air and save our water
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
Clean energy – transforming manufacturing and exports
Renewables and storage will reduce the cost of energy and increase jobs
Clean energy from the sun and wind with storage can deliver flexible power 24/7.
Harnessing our abundant energy and mineral resources means unlimited opportunity for Australia.
- Exporting green iron and green aluminium
- Processing critical minerals needed for the energy transition
- Low carbon manufacturing
- Exporting clean energy
- Skilled, future focused jobs
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
In 2025, Menzies was one of the most marginal electorates in the country, with LNP incumbent retaining the seat with a 2PP result of 50.7% losing 6.3% on two party basis, and 8.8% of his primary result. Climate was the top vote-determining issue in 2022 according to Vote Compass and the ABC.
Menzies 2024 redistribution
- AEC profile on the division of Menzies with links
- Menzies 2024 map
- Ben Raue’s analysis on the Victorian redistribution
- Antony Green’s analysis on the Victorian redistribution
Further Information
Menzies for Climate
Lighter Footprints is a member of Menzies for Climate which works with allies to run Vote Climate campaigns in Menzies.
Lighter Footprints
- Lighter Footprints blog on Vote Climate action on the streets – it’s time to get out there!
- Vote Climate 2022 Vote Climate campaign highlights blog
- More on our successful Vote Climate campaigns here
This page is authorised by Lighter Footprints Inc, Register Number A0095302A, Kew Victoria
