In June 2021, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced $2 billion of investment in publicly-owned renewable energy. The $2 billion Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund will build more renewable energy assets and infrastructure in the sunshine state, creating heaps of good jobs in the process.

This comes after a year of incredible campaigning by AYCC Queensland volunteers, alongside unions friends in the movement, for big investment in publicly-owned clean energy to power homes and regional economies across the state. Throughout 2020, volunteers knocked on doors, engaged local businesses and met with MPs across the state to build mass support for investment in clean energy.

“We've been working super hard on this for over a year lobbying our MPs, talking to local businesses, sharing our stories and persuading our friends to sign our open letter! Everywhere Premier Palaszczuk and her Ministers have gone they've heard us calling for a #RenewableRecovery... I remember when this campaign started in October last year as a small group of volunteers armed with only clipboards and some conversation training. It's brilliant how much we've achieved then - not only this news but other recent announcements like a $145 million investment in Renewable Energy Zones. This shows just how much a group of committed young people can achieve when we work together and play to our strengths!” - Garrett, AYCC Cairns

AYCC Cairns volunteers with a copy of our #RenewableRecovery pledge signed by Minister Craig Crawford, one of over a dozen Queensland Labor MPs to show their support. 

We know this win was only possible thanks to an incredible alliance of Queenslanders, and the leadership of workers and unionists in the energy sector, who are advocating passionately for a just transition. We’re proud to have worked in solidarity with the Electrical Trades Union, Together Union, Professionals Australia and a network of community groups to demonstrate the breadth of support for publicly-owned renewables.

These kinds of investments are exactly what we need to see: huge public investment into clean energy and secure jobs. We know Governments can deliver real climate solutions like this and the campaigns we run can get politicians over the line - we’ve just seen it.