A MULTI-FAITH NETWORK
COMMITTED TO ACTION
ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Election 2025

How you can help

Our aim for the coming election is to help shape the story  - what people think and say about the climate -  both nationally and in key electorates. So what we really want is maximum visibility. That comes down to two main things: banners and yard signs. We’re asking all faith communities to get behind either putting up a banner, giving out yard signs or both. What can you do in your community? 

Banners 

A banner outside a place of worship can help show - and shape - the local mood on the ground at election time. This is incredibly helpful in building the momentum for stronger climate action at this crucial time. Head over to our banners page to find out more and to get started ordering a banner.

Yard signs

We’re asking all people of faith to give out yard signs that simply say ‘Climate Action Now’ through your faith community. This is a super-easy way to help make the climate a voting issue where you live. At the last election these ended up everywhere and climate organisations across the country are aiming to make it even bigger this time. Faith communities are a perfect local network to hand these out through. Have a look at our page on yard signs for more information and to order your signs.

 

Videos

Making a short video for social media about the fact that you're either putting up a banner or giving out yard signs will double their impact. Everything you need is here.

 

Calling sympathetic places of worship in key electorates

The main thing we want is fo as many faith communities as possible in marginal electorates to do one or both of these two things - giving out yard signs or putting up a banner. That is where we can make the most difference. Can you call a few places of worship in those locations? Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to get involved.

You'd be calling existing supporters
We have a list of around 100 such places that already support ARRCC. They'll probably be happy to hear from you!

You don't need to live in the electorate to call someone there
Anyone can contact these places of worship, whether you live locally or not.

How to get involved in calling in marginal electorates
Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page to register your interest in making a few phone calls. We will get in touch and get you set up with a calling guide.

 

 

Calling other faith communities you know

Also, do you happen to know of any other congregations that might be interested? They might be in a marginal electorate or might not - it's all really helpful. Please do pick up the phone.  Likewise, please fill out the form below to let us know you're doing this. We will send you our calling guide with all of the information you need.

 

Come to our all-in Zoom call 

Wherever you are in the country, if you want to make a difference, you can. All people of faith are invited to a Zoom call on the evening of February 11th to find out more about our plans for the election, share inspiration, and get going. This call will be for people who want to volunteer in some way. We will make sure that there are options both big and small enough to be snack-sized so that you don’t need to take on more than you feel you can. The main thing is having as many people there as possible. With lots of people doing just a little, we can really get a lot done.

Tuesday February 11th
NSW / ACT/ TAS / VIC: 7.30 to 8.45pm
SA: 7 to 8.15pm
QLD: 6.30 to 7.45pm
NT: 6 to 7.15pm
WA: 4.30 to 5.45pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89865487204 

Please RSVP here to let us know you're coming.

There is a lot at stake

Anything seems possible this year. On the one hand we have an unreconstructed (and unrepentant) Opposition on the rise. In a few months we could easily have a government that is outright hostile to climate action.  ARRCC is resolutely nonpartisan but also dedicated to truth-telling, and this is sadly Australia’s reality.

Pretty much every other possible outcome looks plausible too. We could see a returned majority Labor government. Most pundits are picking that neither major party will be able to govern on its own, whoever wins. So there is a considerable possibility of a Labor-led government working with a crossbench (and maybe the Greens) that could insist on the strongest climate action ever seen in Australia. Ideally that would result in the Coalition realising that the only way to win is to compete to show it has the best climate policy, rather than continuing to act as a wrecker. Whatever the outcome, what we do now will matter for a long time to come.

No one knows yet when it’s going to be

The latest viable date for an election is May 17th, but it could be any Saturday before then, providing the Prime Minister gives the required 32 days notice. What we can say for sure is that it pays to be ready. We are. More on that below.

A climate election in all but name

The climate will be one of the big issues this election whether it’s called a ‘climate election’ or not. Peter Dutton has created a debate over energy that is a de facto debate on climate policy. Make no mistake: the Coalition wants to delay moving away from coal and gas as long as possible. Sources of nuclear energy would very conveniently take a long time to build and in the meantime we would continue to be reliant on fossil fuels rather than moving urgently to renewables. Talking up nuclear now also happens to keep the Coalition united, reassuring the few remaining moderates that 2050 is still on the table while placating the Matt Canavans of this world by slowing down any move away from fossil fuels. And it is already engendering uncertainty among investors in renewable energy. 

Peter Dutton has made his antipathy towards renewables pretty blatant. This article in the Australian Financial Review shows this clearly, stating that a Coalition government would lean on banks to lend to creditworthy businesses in fossil fuels, forestry and agriculture after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attacked “woke” bankers for rejecting loans on environmental grounds. Coalition sources not authorised to speak publicly said a new policy nearing finalisation would seek to rein in the rise of banks rejecting loan applications from companies in sectors that contravene their environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments.

In short, this is every bit as much of a climate election as 2022 was.

Yet that will also be one of the big challenges. Nearly all of the media attention to do with the climate is likely to be framed in terms of support or otherwise for nuclear. The even bigger issue will be the cost of living. There are ways of riding those waves without being drowned by them, and we will be attempting to do just that.

Sign up here to get involved

If you want to help us reach out to places of worship in marginal electorates that are already on board with the climate issue and already on our database, but just need a friendly phone call to get involved, please fill out the form below and we will get in touch with everything you need. We have about 100 such places of worship on our books, and every phone call really helps!