Sydney Alliance

🚨 NEW: Renters Speak Out 🚨 Today, the Tenants' Union of NSW, the Sydney Alliance, and government partners launched a major new report on the state of renting in NSW — built from the voices of renters themselves. Throughout 2024, renters across the state joined forums to share their experiences and offer real solutions. What they told us was clear: “The house is falling apart, but if I ask for repairs, I risk being kicked out.” This two-page summary gives a snapshot of what’s happening — and what needs to change. Renters are calling for secure, affordable, and climate-resilient homes. And the solutions are ready. #RentersElection #HousingJustice Trina Jones Leo Patterson Ross

Exciting news—Organisers Diana Olmos and David Barrow are heading to the US for the IAF Pacific Regional Conference's Workshop on Building Homes Through Community Support. They’ll join organisers across the Pacific Northwest to share lessons from NSW’s housing campaigns and meet with local faith communities in Spokane, Portland, Seattle, and Missoula. A great chance to strengthen international ties in the fight for housing justice! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g6kwV6_y #CommunityOrganising #HousingJustice

Last Sunday, the Federal Government announced a $2.3 billion investment to make home battery storage more affordable, directly responding to the collective action of communities who came together at our Federal Pre-Election Assembly just three weeks ago. Through the new Cheaper Home Batteries Program, eligible households and small businesses will receive a 30% discount on the upfront cost of virtual power plant-ready batteries. For many households, this translates to up to $4,000 in upfront savings and up to $2,300 off their annual energy bills—particularly for those pairing batteries with rooftop solar. By expanding access to home batteries, the Government is helping families store solar energy for use when electricity prices are highest, reducing demand on the grid, cutting reliance on expensive and polluting gas, and easing cost-of-living pressures for thousands across the country. This announcement is a real step forward in the fight for climate justice and energy affordability—and a powerful reminder of what organised communities can achieve when we act together. Read the full media release here: https://lnkd.in/gUTMNH9E #CommunityAction #ClimateJustice #EnergyTransition #HousingJustice

On 13 March at our Pre-election Assembly, one of our asks to Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Energy and Climate Change, was for the Federal Government to invest in household batteries. 24 days later, they said YES. This win could not have been achieved without our Alliance partners, and the Renew Australia For All national coalition that brings together union, faith, community, industry and other broad-based alliances across the country. Well done everyone! Let’s keep it up so no one is left behind.

ASSEMBLY WIN AS COMMUNITY ACTION DRIVES RESULTS: Today, the Government announced a $2.3 billion commitment to make home batteries more affordable—directly addressing one of the key asks we put forward at our Federal Pre-Election Assembly three weeks ago. This investment is an important step towards making the energy transition more affordable, resilient, and accessible for Australian communities. It demonstrates the power of collective community action to drive real outcomes on climate and cost of living. There is still critical work ahead to ensure that renters, social housing residents, and multicultural communities are fully included in the benefits of the energy transition. Today, we acknowledge this step forward—and the strength of our communities that made it possible. More details to be shared shortly. #CommunityAction #ClimateJustice #EnergyTransition Anthony Albanese

As the federal election gains momentum, Western Sydney is again being framed as the decisive region. But behind the headlines are the everyday experiences of people living here—families navigating housing stress, rising costs, and rapid change. Last week, Lead Organiser Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis joined ABC Radio Sydney’s Dom Knight, alongside Andy Marks (Centre for Western Sydney, Western Sydney University), David Borger (Business Western Sydney), and Bridie, a first-time voter from Constitution Hill, to discuss what’s at stake this election. Chantelle brought the voices of 837 community members who gathered at our recent Pre-Election Assembly into the conversation, naming the urgent need for affordable and social housing, the rising cost of energy, the determination of multicultural communities to contribute, and rejection of narratives that shift blame onto them In a region poised to shape the election outcome, the Alliance is working to ensure that community voices are not just heard, but acted upon. Listen to a preview below; access the link to the full audio here (conversation starts at 37:56): https://lnkd.in/gR4UYRHF #WesternSydney #Election2025 #ausvotes #HousingJustice #EnergyTransition #CommunityAction #MulticulturalNSW

Wonderful video from St John XXIII Catholic College capturing the significance of the Federal Pre-Election Assembly to them. Why was the Assembly significant for you?

REPORTING BACK: Yesterday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the federal election for 3 May, following Budget Night earlier this week. Two weeks ago, at our Pre-Election Assembly, our Alliance recognised that the budget would set the stage for the election, and we committed to tracking its outcomes and reporting back. In this short preview, hear from John Engeler (Shelter NSW CEO & National Shelter Chair), Sawsan Alfayadh (Renew Australia For All Campaign Manager), and Bradley Smith (Nature Conservation Council NSW Campaigns Director) as they reflect on what the federal budget means for our Assembly asks on housing and energy. Alliance Lead Organiser Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis and Energy Organiser Diana Olmos introduce and guide the discussion. While there are no new commitments to the solutions we put forward, the budget gives us insight into how the Government is approaching these issues — and reminds us of the task ahead: continuing to organise, in the lead-up to the election and beyond. Listen on and download the full report-back (and transcript) here: https://lnkd.in/gsMMGarQ #CommunityAction #auspol #ausvotes

This time last week, 837 of Sydney’s civil society came together—faith communities, unions, and community organizations—and stood side by side to take our shared concerns to our federal leaders. At the heart of this Assembly was a clear message: our communities need urgent action on housing, climate, and energy. We brought people-powered solutions directly to federal representatives, including Chris Bowen MP, Andrew Charlton, Mehreen Faruqi, and Zali Steggall OAM MP. We heard stories that made clear what’s at stake: renters struggling with rising costs, communities being left behind without affordable and accessible energy—the lived realities that demand action. At the Assembly, we made it clear what’s needed: from investment in social and affordable housing, to real protections for renters, and a national strategy to tackle the housing crisis. We called for climate resilience measures that prioritize communities already facing extreme weather, alongside an energy transition that ensures affordable and accessible power for all. This night didn’t happen on its own. It was built by hundreds of leaders, from the brave cochairs who guided us through it, to the volunteers who kept everything running, campaign teams who designed the asks, turnout coordinators from organisations who filled the room with our members, and staff who worked behind the scenes. This Assembly was just the beginning and, as we remain vigilant for the budget next week and the election afterward, we continue to engage with our leaders to ensure that our asks translate into real outcomes for our communities. #CommunityAction #auspol #HousingJustice #ClimateChange #EnergyResilience Kristyn Crossfield David Barrow Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis AbdalNasser AbuMustafa Jess Harrison Diana Olmos She/Her Nusrat Zabeen Islam