In the middle of this messy, high-stakes election, I kept picturing my kids riding their bikes to school, breathing clean air, growing up with real choices and a safe climate.

That’s what we’re all fighting for, isn’t it. To protect what we love.

As a dad to two little ones, I felt the stakes of this election deep in my bones. Like many of you, I carried that heavy mix of nerves and hope. Would climate action cut through? Would our voices be heard? Would Australia back a future worth growing up in?

And then I looked around — and I saw this extraordinary community of parents show up with courage, compassion and clarity. You gave your time, your energy, your resources. You hosted conversations, handed out flyers, shared content online, helped neighbours make sense of the issues, and kept climate action front and centre.

After the dust settles on an election like this one, it’s natural to feel a swirl of emotions — hope, relief, frustration, pride, even fatigue.

Wherever you land right now — exhilarated by the outcome, disappointed by what wasn’t achieved, or just plain exhausted — know this: we see you, and we’re so proud to be in this with you.

Because one thing is clear: together, we made a difference.

Over these past few months, thousands of parents like you stood up for a safe, fair future for our kids. We spoke from the heart. We showed up in our communities. We helped push climate action into the spotlight — where it belongs.

And it worked.

Australians rejected delay and distraction. They said no to nuclear spin and yes to real, practical climate solutions. We dodged the worst-case scenario. And while this election didn’t solve everything — far from it — it strengthened the public mandate for clean energy, fairness, and action.

Together, we powered the biggest campaign we’ve ever run — and reached more than a million voters, again and again, with one clear message: Later is too late.

We didn’t just speak to the usual audiences. We reached new parents, undecided voters, and families who are often left out of the climate conversation altogether. We brought them in. We showed them that climate action isn’t just political — it’s deeply personal.

And because of that work, we’ve seen real progress.

And our momentum translated into real outcomes:

1. A stronger national mandate for clean energy
2. $2.3 billion for home batteries to help cut power bills
3. Tens of billions for clean industries and local jobs
4. And a national bid to host the next UN climate talks (COP31) right here in Australia
5. Ongoing momentum behind climate leadership with record outcomes for candidates and parties that prioritise strong action on our kids climate

That’s a big deal. It shows we’ve shifted the conversation — from fear to solutions, from delay to delivery. And yet, I know some of us are feeling disappointed. It’s okay to feel that. Some of the biggest barriers to bold action — like ending coal and gas, or protecting nature — are still in place. The pace of progress can feel painfully slow.

But elections are just one day in the year. And our work as parents and as advocates requires us to show up every day - especially when the decisions are getting made.

We’ve been planning for every possible outcome — a Labor majority, a minority government, or a Coalition comeback. And we’ve done this before. Parents for Climate began under a Coalition government. And in those years, we still achieved meaningful wins. Because we know how to work across politics. We know how to build pressure and shift public will.

This election was never going to be the finish line. It’s just a new chapter — and thanks to your work, we’re entering it stronger than ever.

So if you’re feeling tired like I am, let’s take a breath. Rest. Celebrate the wins. Spend time with our kids and remember why we care so deeply in the first place.

And know this: our movement has grown and we made a huge difference. We are more capable, more connected, and more powerful than we were a year ago. That means we can do things we couldn’t do before. We can reach further, speak louder, and demand more.

And that’s exactly what we’ll do.

Because the decisions that shape our children’s future won’t just be made at elections. They’ll be made in every policy meeting, in every budget decision, in every moment of public pressure. That’s where we’ll be — as parents, as citizens, and as a movement.

Thank you for being part of this. Thank you for standing up for what matters.

We’re only just getting started.

With deep gratitude,
Nic Seton
CEO, Parents for Climate