Perth climate voters get MP on board with net-zero ‘vision for future’

Climate change and the pathway to decarbonisation remains a vital issue for voters in the federal electorate of Curtin, according to teal independent Kate Chaney.

The issue is such a bugbear for Curtin constituents that Chaney will help 50 volunteers launch a Net Zero pathway report on Monday night, which at 72 pages is nearly double the length of the West Australian government’s climate policy.

Chaney was one of six teal independents who ousted six sitting Liberal MPs following aggressive campaigns centred on the former government’s inaction on climate change.

Curtin independent MP Kate Chaney.Credit: James Brickwood

“I certainly get a huge number of inquiries from constituents on issues relating to climate and the environment from a range of different angles and I don’t expect that to stop,” she said.

When asked whether candidates for the seat at the 2025 election ignored climate change issues at their peril, Chaney said: “I think so”.

“It would be great to see every political candidate who’s running recognising that being bold about decarbonisation is key for not just protecting the places that we live, but also ensuring our future prosperity,” she said.

“One of the advantages of doing this as an independent, and driven from community, is that I’m not tied to ideology or past promises and legacies of any particular political party.”

The loss of Curtin at the 2022 election sent shockwaves through the WA Liberal Party and with the presence of teal independents climate will likely be a key campaign issue for whoever the preselected candidate will be, out of former journalist Matt Moran and Uber executive Tom White.

The strategy, which took 12 months to develop, outlines what Curtin residents can do to combat climate at a local, state and federal level and delves into some of the most contentious debates around decarbonisation.

One of those is the mix of gas and renewables in WA’s own electricity grid.

Premier Roger Cook is mulling a change to WA’s onshore gas export ban in an effort to bring new gas reserves online, but the Curtin Net Zero report says current reserves are adequate.

“We don’t need any new gas fields to meet transition needs for the [South West Integrated System grid],” the report said.

The report also suggests the state needed to be bolder in its emissions reduction target and establish a hard figure to work towards to 2030 – something WA has not yet done.

The report also wants the WA government to increase renewable energy targets for state government emissions from 80 per cent to 100 per cent by 2030.

The report calls for a ban on sale and installation of new home gas appliances by 2030.

“I have a very active citizenry in Curtin and this will help them prioritise their advocacy at local and state level, as well as federal and it also guides me in my advocacy at a federal level,” Chaney said.

“The thing I think is missing in a lot of our political discussion is long-term vision and I think there’s a real desire for that in my community.”

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