Renewable energy has been put back on the federal parliamentary agenda by the lower house crossbench in the last sitting week before the federal budget.
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Independent member for the Victorian seat of Indi Helen Haines proposes new legislation to lower the cost of household batteries, while Greens leader Adam Bandt wants to prohibit new coal, coal and gas projects.
Dr Haines says her bill would lower the cost of household batteries by up $3000, which could triple the number of batteries in Australian households within three years.
She told parliament Australians want to transition to renewable energy, but right now batteries are too expensive for most households.
"My bill makes batteries cheaper. Combine that with a no-interest loan to help low-income people afford the upfront cost, and you've got a sensible policy that will directly tackle energy poverty, which disproportionately affects regional people," she said.
"Using an existing government scheme to cover household batteries will allow people to further reduce the cost of their power bills."
Dr Haines says neither major party has any policies to help households lower their power bills with renewable-powered batteries.
She wants them to deliver stronger policies to help people see the benefits from renewable energy.
Independent MP Zali Steggall backs the bill, saying if the government is "fair dinkum" on delivering net zero emissions and lower electricity bills for Australian households, this bill should be supported.
Meanwhile, Mr Bandt introduced a private member's bill to place a moratorium on new coal, oil and gas developments.
The International Energy Agency has said that to meet the net zero by 2050 target, as set by the coalition and Labor, there can be no new fossil fuel projects.
However, Mr Bandt says there are currently 114 new coal, gas and oil projects in the pipeline in Australia, backed by the major parties, which together would emit the equivalent of 2.5 times Australia's pollution every year.
"You have to stop pouring petrol on the fire, before you can start putting it out," Mr Bandt told parliament.
"This parliament cannot be the ones who stand by and listen to the science, pretend to accept it and then go and open up new coal and gas projects."
Australian Associated Press
