The Federal electorate of Calare sits at the heart of Australia’s energy transition. It’s home to one of NSW’s Renewable Energy Zones, a proposed site for the federal Opposition’s nuclear energy plan, and a major agricultural region navigating rising energy costs and climate impacts. Community independent candidate Kate Hook explains why Calare is a microcosm of the national energy debate — and why she believes the electorate has more to gain from the shift to renewables than almost any other. She outlines her plan for fairer access to clean energy, including government-backed loans to help households electrify and reduce energy bills, and argues for a managed transition that supports fossil fuel workers, delivers regional investment, and avoids costly delays, and distractions like nuclear.


The electorate that could power the transition, and the community independent who knows how

Plico Energy CTO George Martin says business is booming under the new home battery rebates, but the name of the VPP game remains the same. Plus news of the week.

What consumers really want from virtual power plants

SAPN boss Andrew Bills on the challenges of managing the local network in the world's most advanced renewable grid, and where half of all homes have rooftop solar.

"We had to innovate to survive"

A new tool to help Australia build renewables in the right places will launch this November. Called AVISTEP, it uses millions of bird sightings, decades of research and expert modelling to map where wind, solar and transmission projects are likely to have low, medium or high impacts on biodiversity. The aim is to get renewables built — but built in the right places – and avoid conflicts like the Robbins Island wind farm in Tasmania, recently approved despite sitting in a critical bird migration corridor. Already available overseas, AVISTEP works on a simple traffic-light system — green for go, red for no, amber for “find somewhere better.” BirdLife Australia’s Dr. Golo Maurer explains how the tool works and why it could be a game-changer for the renewable rollout.

The game changing tool to protect birds in Australia’s renewable rollout

CSIRO Chief Research Scientist Pep Canadell on why Australia and the world need to aim high, not low, on its 2035 climate targets. Plus: It's getting weird in Queensland.

Time to go "full sail" on decarbonisation

Earlier this month, two competing visions for the future of farming emerged on opposite sides of the country. At Gina Rinehart’s Bush Summit in Broome, renewables were cast as a threat to rural communities, while in Canberra, the inaugural Farming Forever Summit highlighted how clean energy is sustaining farm livelihoods. Fourth-generation farmer Charlie Prell knows the difference firsthand. After years of drought and falling commodity prices pushed his Crookwell property to the edge, wind turbines helped secure his farm’s future and supported his retirement. Charlie shares his story of resilience and why he sees renewables as part of farming’s survival, not its downfall. But he’s blunt about some of the renewable industry’s missteps and how rushed contracts and divisive tactics by some developers left scars that still fuel distrust and give ammunition to anti-renewables campaigns. The challenge now is to rebuild trust, ensure farmers have genuine agency, and prove that clean energy can strengthen rural communities rather than undermine them.

The renewables lifeline for farmers

CCA’s Matt Kean on why target had to be lowered. Plus: Offshore wind pioneer Andy Evans on Victoria’s delayed auction, and a very big battery tender.

Is Australia’s emissions target good enough?

Energy retailers are making bold claims about savings, but are they misleading, or even breaking the law? Australia’s leading consumer advocate, CHOICE, thinks so. They’ve launched their first-ever super complaint under a new framework that lets them bring serious, systemic issues directly to the ACCC. Their focus are retailers marketing so-called ‘saver’ or ‘value’ plans that actually cost more than standard offers. The ACCC has agreed to investigate whether these tactics breach consumer law. Other questionable practices, like offering the same name plan at different prices, or promoting ‘better offers’ that aren’t actually better, have been referred to upcoming regulatory reviews. Jordan Cornelius, Senior Campaigns & Policy Adviser at CHOICE, breaks down the complaint, and what’s at stake for consumers.

CHOICE vs the energy ‘saver’ plans that actually cost you more

Anna Skarbek from Climateworks Centre on Australia's emissions mission, and the new China targets, while AGL's Jane Butler talks vehicle to grid. Plus: Wind and battery deals.

Australia, China and a big week for V2G

Australia’s gas network rules are outdated — and consumers are paying the price. Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) warns that without reform, vulnerable households could be trapped in a ‘gas death spiral,’ facing ever-rising bills as others switch to electric. To fix this, the ECA wants new gas users to cover the full cost of new connections, stopping the $11 billion gas asset base from ballooning further. They’re also pushing to limit accelerated depreciation of gas infrastructure that shifts financial risks from network investors onto consumers, and to require gas networks to be more transparent and plan properly, as electricity networks already must. Finally, they want fairer, cheaper disconnection options so households can leave gas without punishing fees. Brian Spak, General Manager of Advocacy and Policy at ECA, explains how these changes could protect consumers, reduce stranded asset risks, and make the transition to clean, all-electric living more affordable.

How to escape the gas death spiral

Federal energy and climate minister Chris Bowen on his trip to New York, renewable and emissions targets, and coal closures. Plus: News of the week.

Chris Bowen on coal, renewables, EVs and UN

Join Anne Delaney as she tracks the electrification of everything with people at the forefront of the electrification transition.

The electorate that could power the transition, and the community independent who knows how

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