What do you get when you combine two cardboard cubby houses, a roll of tin foil, a big box of Duplo, and a face painter with 16 kids and 25 determined parents?

You get Powering Our Kids’ Future, our first-ever Parents for Climate event held inside the halls of Parliament House.

It wasn't your typical political briefing. The halls of Parliament are usually filled with suits and stern faces, instead we brought high-vis vests, hard hats, and a healthy dose of "kid energy" to show our leaders exactly what a safe, powered-up future looks like.

A "No-Brainer" for schools and early childhood educations centres

Our mission was simple but bold: we’re calling for government support to put solar and batteries on every school and early childhood education centre (ECEC) in Australia. Think about the scale of that. It would be one of the largest clean energy projects in the nation’s history. We already have the roof space; we just need the political will to flip the switch. The benefits are a "no-brainer" for any parent:

• Lower electricity bills: Allowing schools to spend money on teachers and resources, not power companies.
• Heat-safe classrooms: Keeping our kids cool as summers get hotter.
• Real climate action: Drastically reducing emissions to ensure a safer planet for the next generation.

Building Momentum (Literally)

On one of the busiest sitting days of the year, over 25 MPs and Senators from across the political spectrum set aside time to join us. They didn't just listen to speeches; they got to work.

With our kids leading the way, politicians donned hard hats to help "install" tin-foil solar panels on our cardboard cubby schools. The room was a whirlwind of laughter and Lego, but the message was serious. As Independent MP Zali Steggall noted:

“Having the kids here is a real-world reminder of what we are talking about and who we are doing this for.”

We even saw a rare moment of cross-party unity. From Liberal Senator Andrew McLachlan, who called it a "fantastic initiative that deserves support from the whole of the body politic," to Labor’s Jerome Laxale, who is championing the vision nationwide. The momentum is undeniable.

The Power of Being Seen

While the policy wins are vital, the heart of the event was the impact on our families. For many of the children, it was a realization that their voices actually carry weight in the big white building on the hill.

Amy, who travelled from Brisbane, watched her 8-year-old son, Jenson, be inspired by youth leaders Lila and Louie. "It filled my cup to have Jenson witness that you are never too young to have a voice," she shared.

Kate, from the Gold Coast, appreciated the authentic atmosphere: "I loved being part of an event that centered kids in a meaningful way - I know there was a lot of thought and planning that helped set our kids up for success. I think the kids felt valued and heard and I appreciate how the adults celebrated the kids’ successes and were also accepting of the moments when the kids’ behavior wasn’t always the most convenient for the adult agenda." Kate's daughter is pictured below in full interviewer mode putting MPs through their paces!

A Mum's reminder about why we show up

We are so grateful to the parents and kids that travelled long distances - to be seen and have their voices heard. A moment that deeply touched us all was hearing Amy remind us all of why showing up is important (we're sharing the words here, but it's much better to hear Amy speak them herself in our video) - 

When Jenson was a baby and I learned about the extent of climate change and was was facing him in the future, it was really anxiety provoking. But then I realised that there were things I could do and at the very least, I know that I wanted to be able to look him in the eye as an adult and say to him that I did everything I could to secure him a safe future. And that's why I'm here.

What’s Next?

As the dust (and cardboard scraps) settle, one thing is clear: the path ahead is sunny and bright. We showed Parliament that we aren't just names on a petition. We are a movement of real families who care deeply about the future and we are willing to show up when it counts.

Assistant Minister for Energy Josh Wilson summed it up perfectly: "It’s a no-brainer."

Now, we keep the pressure on. We have the roofs, we have the passion, and thanks to your voices and support, we finally have their attention.
Let’s get it done.

Want to help keep the momentum going?
Add your name to support Solar Our Learning https://www.parentsforclimate.org/power-our-schools-now