‘No-Brainer’: Australian parents call for Federal Budget support to Solar Our Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28 JANUARY 2021

AUSTRALIAN PARENTS for Climate Action has renewed calls for the Federal Government to prioritise funding for solar panels on every school and early childhood education centre in Australia, ahead of the deadline for public submissions for the next Federal Budget.

AP4CA’s Pre-Budget Submission follows a petition where more than 11,000 parents called on the Prime Minister to Solar Our Schools, a policy that would have clear benefits for the climate, education outcomes, women, and the economy. 

“If every school in Australia had the money and ability to install enough solar and storage to be fully renewables-powered, they would save thousands of dollars that could be put towards teachers and better educational resources,” said Suzie Brown, National Director, AP4CA. 

“Powering thousands of schools with solar would also reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and create thousands of solar jobs in communities across Australia. 

“Solar Our Schools is a sensible and shovel-ready policy that benefits children and parents, workers, and teachers, in a predominantly female profession. It’s a chance to fix oversights of the previous budget which shunned renewable energy and support for women in favour of investment in male dominated industries and tax cuts that favour men, and investment in coal and gas.

"Regardless of political affiliations, there is everything to gain by supporting this campaign and nothing to lose,” said Ms Brown. 

Deanna Hayes, a nurse and AP4CA member, added: “Climate change is the biggest threat to the health and well-being of children today, and the biggest threat to a safe future for our kids.”

“Thousands of Australian parents and teachers know that scaling up solar use in schools will have benefits inside the classroom, and beyond. But many schools need help to overcome funding and regulatory challenges blocking their access to solar energy. 

“If this Federal Government cares about children’s well-being, about improving our education system, helping women in the workforce and taking meaningful action on climate change, then supporting Solar Our Schools is a no-brainer,” said Ms Hayes. 

For interviews, contact Suzie Brown at 0419 002 606. Photos of Deanna Hayes delivering Solar Our Schools petition here. 

Notes to editors 

Australian Parents for Climate Action (AP4CA) is a non-partisan grassroots movement that assists parents to take action on climate change. With 14,000 members from all sides of the political spectrum, 107 champions and 30 local groups around Australia, AP4CA has quadrupled in size over the last six months as parents sign on to support clean energy and climate action. 

AP4CA’s Solar for Schools campaign is the result of National Director Suzie Brown’s experience of the roadblocks in getting solar in her daughter’s school, and expert analysis about the thousands of jobs that can be created from putting solar on schools nationwide.