The public wants clean energy – but this is Australia, where the climate wars never die

The opposition has long been out of step with public opinion about the climate crisis but what’s the government’s excuse? Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images

The last federal election was less than two years ago but the caravan moves on quickly. With politics dominated by cost-of-living concerns and daily distractions, it’s easy to forget the central role that dissatisfaction with the Coalition’s inaction and doublespeak on the climate crisis played in the result.

It wasn’t the only factor, but an in-depth study found it was the biggest issue in driving voters away from the major parties to independents. It was the second biggest in motivating people who changed their vote to Labor. It stands to reason it was at least as important in the Greens increasing their support and seat count.