News Update
Menzies for Climate held a candidate forum in the lead up to the 2025 Federal election on 24 April. You can watch the forum now here. You can read about the forum here. Menzies for Climate has produce a candidate scorecard which assesses the candidates’ climate policies. You can read about the scorecard here.
We ask you to please think about the climate when you vote.
Welcome to the Menzies electorate and meet Menzies for Climate
Mont Albert, Mont Albert North, Surrey Hills, Box Hill, Box Hill South, Blackburn and Blackburn South – welcome to Menzies!
Electoral boundaries have changed since the last Federal election and your home is now in the Menzies electorate. You can check your enrollment with the Australian Electoral Commission here.
The Menzies electorate was proclaimed in 1984 and named in honour of Sir Robert Gordon Menzies (1894-1978) who was Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister (1939-1941 and 1949-1966).
This electorate is proudly multicultural with a significant proportion of the population having been born overseas and or speaking a language other than English at home. It is a diverse electorate taking in both the forests of Warrandyte and the high rises of Box Hill.
Click on the image above to enlarge
Climate Action Menzies
Menzies for Climate is an alliance of non-partisan local climate groups and individuals who care about climate change, renewable energy and our natural environment. We are all volunteers. We do not advocate for any particular candidate but want to give Menzies voters clear and accurate information about where the candidates stand on climate. We encourage Menzies voters to think about the climate when they vote.
Menzies for Climate member groups include Warrandyte Climate Action Now, Eastern Climate Action Melbourne and Lighter Footprints.
Australia is at a crossroads when it comes to climate and energy policy.
With the right leadership we can grasp the immense economic opportunities offered by becoming a clean energy superpower in a decarbonising world with green manufacturing, exports and future focused jobs.
Top climate action issues
Electrify Everything
Helping households reduce energy costs and emissions
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.
- Subsidies for efficient electric appliances
- Support for community energy sharing and battery uptake
- Improved EV infrastructure nationally
- Help for renters to access solar
Electric appliances are more efficient and save money
Electric appliances are more efficient, save money, and do not release irritating indoor pollutants.
Reverse cycle air conditioning for heating (and cooling) is safer than ducted gas heating, improves air quality, is better for your respiratory health, and saves hundreds of dollars per year in running costs.
Replacing your gas hot water system with an electric heat pump, has lower running costs, reduces your energy billsand leads to significant savings in household emissions, particularly when coupled with solar PV or green electricity purchases.
Induction cooking is very efficient with precise control of temperature and is safer than gas cooking. Often gas cooking is the last gas appliance to go, allowing householder to save hundreds of dollars each year from disconnecting from gas – and the cooktop is much easier to clean.
Grasping Opportunities
Australia can be a renewable energy superpower
World leading technologies coupled with unparalleled natural resources means unlimited opportunity.
- Exporting green iron and green aluminium
- Processing precious metals needed for the energy transition
- Low carbon manufacturing
- Exporting clean energy
- Skilled, future focused jobs
The clean energy revolution needs political support
CSIRO research confirms Australia’s unparalleled renewable resources, but says other nations will outperform us unless we invest now in new industries, with policy support.
Protecting Nature
Climate change puts nature and biodiversity at risk
Australia’s nature laws are broken. Climate change and habitat loss are leading to increasing species loss.
- Extreme weather events damage animal habitats
- Three billion animals died in the Black Summer fires
- Seismic blasting surveying for offshore gas puts marine animals at risk
- Climate change is killing the Great Barrier Reef
Stop Making the Problem Worse
No new coal and gas approvals
Australia’s fossil fuel exports make us the second largest climate polluter in the world, beaten only by Russia.
- New coal and gas approvals have continued under the Albanese government
- Our nature laws don’t consider the climate impacts of new projects and need to be changed
- No public money should be spent to support fossil fuel projects
- We don’t need new gas fields to meet our domestic demands.
Moving past coal and gas
- A new report from IEEFA says that reducing gas demand by going electric would bridge gas shortages.
- Approvals for fracking (banned in Victoria) threaten water security and cultural sites
- Fossil fuel subsidies have risen to $14.5 billion/year, and should be eliminated.
Cleaning up politics
Fossil fuel interests have undue influence over our elected representatives. Political donations and unchecked and undisclosed lobbying activities mean vested interests dominate in Canberra.
- Fossil fuel subsidies in the 2023/2024 year totalled 14.5 billion ($27,581 for every minute of every day)
- Since 2001 every departing resources Minister has gone to work in the fossil fuel secton
- The Australian Medical Association called for “an end to donations from the fossil fuel industry to political parties and for fossil fuel subsidies to be transitioned to renewable energy.”
Making good technology choices
Nuclear is an expensive distraction
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.
- Nuclear is too expensive and slow to develop compared to renewables
- Nuclear will require government fundingbecause it is not commercially attractive
- The nuclear proposal threatens investor confidence in renewables and would prolong the shift away from coal and gas
- Nuclear power is not appropriate for Australia
Nuclear doesn't stack up
- Commercial investors aren’t interested in nuclear because it doesn’t stack up financially
- The Smart Energy Council finds“building seven nuclear – reactors could cost “between $116-$600 billion of taxpayers’ dollars, whilst only providing 3.7% of Australia’s energy mix in 2050″
- Australia has no existing nuclear industry or expertise which would take time to develop
- Nuclear faces significant regulatory and statutory barriers which would take time to remove
- Nuclear power does not mix well with renewables as it is inherently inflexible, and would need to displace renewables
- Nuclear waste remains a worldwide problem
Taking Health Seriously
Climate action is good for our health
The negative health impacts of climate change are significant and increasing.
- Heatwaves cause significant health impacts including 3,000 deaths per year in Australia
- Moving away from household gas protects our health – gas cooking causes up to 12% of childhood asthma
- Supporting active transport – cycling, walkable neighbourhoods – will improve our health
- Climate fuels extreme weather, fires and floods damage our communities and threatens mental health
- The Lancet’s landmark Countdown Reportasserts that “Climate change is the greatest global health threat facing the world in the 21st century.”
Going electric drops asthma risk
Gas appliances exacerbate childhood asthma and are associated with other health impacts.
University of Queensland research found that gas cooking is causally implicated in 12% of childhood asthma – this was further publicised through a Climate Council report. Asthma Australia is informing parents about the risks of gas cooking.
An epidemiological meta-analysis found that “children living in a home with gas cooking have a 42% increased risk of having current asthma, a 24% increased risk of lifetime asthma”.
The Climate Council reporting on an environmental health study on gas stoves states “more than half of occupants with were routinely exposed to harmful levels of NO2 and formaldehyde” if used with poor ventilation.
Reduce asthma risk immediately for under $100!
- Always use ventilation when cooking with gas
- Try out induction cooking with a portable unit – its fast, efficient and easy to clean
Let’s protect our environment and our families’ health and future
Let’s make sure our community is supported in shifting to affordable, efficient electric homes and sustainable transport.
Parklands and green spaces are highly valued in Menzies, along with clean air and family traditions. These climate and environment groups are active in Menzies, and are working together to ensure you understand where Menzies candidates stand on climate and environment.
Eastern Climate Action Melbourne
Eastern Climate Action Melbourne is a community climate group focused in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
You can find out more here.
Warrandyte Climate Action Network
Warrandyte CAN is a local climate group that aims to build awareness and foster action for a safer climate.
You can find out more here.
Lighter Footprints
Lighter Footprints is a local climate group in Melbourne’s inner east, committed to leading effective climate action
You can find out more here.
Menzies 2024 redistribution
- AEC profile on the division of Menzies with links
- Menzies 2024 redistribution map
Authorised by Jeff Cranston, Suite 197, 793 Burke Rd, Camberwell, Victoria, 3124
