Let me be clear - this report is about the media release by Responsible Future Illawarra (RFI) put out today, and does not reflect the view of The Bugle.

RFI states: "Two key electorates with proposed offshore wind projects - Gilmore (Illawarra) and Paterson (Port Stephens) - are seeing significant shifts away from Labor, with the party now facing serious challenges in these traditionally safe seats. With every seat crucial to Labor’s chances of securing government, perhaps a rethink on their energy policy is urgently needed."

"Polling Results: According to the latest Redbridge poll, if an election were held today, the Liberals would secure victory in both electorates:

• Paterson: 54-46 LIB (NSW) and

• Gilmore: 56-44 LIB (NSW)"

They have said that no polling is available yet for the Illawarra seat of Whitlam, "but Labor’s Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones will be worried as the seat becomes increasingly competitive. Former Labor MP Jennie George - who previously held the seat (then known as Throsby) - received a record 65% primary vote during her tenure."

"However, this dropped to 45% under Jones in the last election and appears to have declined further according to recent indications. Jennie George, a vocal critic of the Illawarra offshore wind project and the current renewable energy rollout, underscores the extent of traditional Labor support erosion. Labor must recognise how deeply this issue resonates with the community and its potential impact on future election outcomes if it hopes to remain competitive."

Responsible Future (Illawarra) spokesperson Alex O’Brien commented, “These results confirm what we’ve been saying all along - offshore wind is eroding Labor’s traditional support base. Floating offshore wind is one of the most expensive forms of energy, and pushing to subsidise it during a cost-of-living crisis is a terrible miscalculation. But this isn’t the time to ease up. We’re ramping up efforts to raise awareness in Whitlam, where concerns over these projects are growing.”

Ben Abbott, President of No Offshore Turbines Port Stephens, added, “This polling demonstrates the real impact offshore wind is having on local communities. While it’s great to see a shift in Paterson, we need to maintain momentum and continue educating voters in neighbouring electorates and marginal seats. Once people understand the cost to their energy bills and the environmental damage these projects can cause, the demand for better alternatives becomes clear.”

Responsible Future say that the swing against Labor underscores the power of community voices. “As elections approach, Responsible Future and No Offshore Turbines Port Stephens are focused on continuing to inform voters and challenging policies that threaten both the environment and the economy.”

Asked for her comment Labor MP for Gillmore, Fiona Phillips said, “Unfortunately, there's a lot of scaremongering and misinformation being peddled about the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone. The comments by Responsible Future are far from responsible, not accurate nor based on evidence. 

“The Kiama area sits at the most southern end of the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone and is approximately 30 kilometres offshore. 

“It is imperative we increase the supply of renewable energy into the electricity grid to put downward pressure on power prices. The zone has the potential to generate an estimated 2.9GW of electricity, enough to power 1.8 million homes and help create 870 ongoing jobs – that’s great news for local businesses, workers, families and individuals. 

“The CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Gencost 2023-2024 report shows that renewables (solar and wind + firming) remain the lowest cost new build electricity technology. 

“In stark contrast Peter Dutton’s risky nuclear gamble will cost up to $600 billion of taxpayer funds, take 20 years to even start delivering, will only deliver just 4 per cent of the grid and will add up to $1,000 a year to energy bills. 

“It’s time for Responsible Future to stop being irresponsible and stop treating Gilmore like a political pawn.

“The Albanese Government’s Reliable Renewables Plan is the only plan supported by experts to deliver the clean, cheap and reliable energy that people deserve.”

In contrast, The Hon. Andrew Constance (Liberal candidate for Gillmore), who was also asked for his views, referred to this report: Network giant says huge inland renewable zones might be better idea than floating offshore wind and said, “A report from the state’s transmission company Transgrid about Labor’s floating plan puts a massive hole in Fiona Phillip’s argument. Her proposal is dead in the water in my view on the basis of economics. The height of the generators at 270-metres will be clearly visible and there is a suggestion the massive cable could come to shore at Minnamurra.”

“I also support renewables, gas and 24/7 emissions free nuclear. Labor is renewables only which won’t work given the intermittent nature of sun and wind generation.

“My focus is the community first and foremost and the enormous financial stress all Kiama households and small businesses are under due to high inflation and bad economic management. 

“Broken promises by the Albanese Government such as a $275 power bill reduction, lower interest rates and lower cost of living have left locals feeling abandoned and forgotten.

“Minister Bowen’s $10 billion floating wind turbine proposal off Kiama has never been built at this scale anywhere in the world. It will drive up power prices, harm the environment and be highly visible. 

“I believe the majority of local residents are very concerned as a result of poor consultation and a lack of information about the project from the Albanese Government. 

“Our region needs a strong positive economic plan that grows our economy quickly through important public infrastructure investment and sensible policies that helps business and families. The construction and small business sector need stimulus and help. We have to turn Australia and Gilmore around.”

In the face of mounting public dissent and shifting voter sentiment, Labor finds itself at a critical crossroads. The growing backlash against offshore wind projects in key electorates like Gilmore and Paterson signals a broader challenge for the party's energy policy. As community concerns intensify, the stakes in these traditionally safe seats have never been higher. Whether Labor can address these concerns and adapt its strategy may very well determine its ability to maintain its foothold in these crucial battlegrounds.

In response to Mr Constance's comments, Mrs Phillips has said: “It is disappointing that Mr Constance continues to mislead the community".

"Our sensible Reliable Renewables Plan, which includes a mix of wind, solar, gas, and hydro, is backed by the Australian Energy Market Operator and is putting downward pressure on electricity prices. "The reality is the Liberals’ have opposed our cost-of-living measures such as energy bill relief, tax cuts for taxpayers, cheaper medicines and more. 

"We’ve overseen the creation of almost a million jobs and, after a decade of deliberate wage stagnation under the Liberals, we’ve seen a welcome improvement in wages growth. 

"Since coming to government we have halved inflation and returned the Budget to surplus while providing sensible cost-of-living relief. If we took the advice of the Coalition to cut savagely in the budget, we would be in recession. 

"It’s time for Andrew Constance to reveal where Peter Dutton’s $315 billion in spending cuts will come from. As per usual Andrew Constance and Peter Dutton are all negative and have no plan.”

The sitting Labor MP for the seat of Whitlam, Stephen Jones, was also asked for his comment, and if/when this is received The Bugle will update this article.