Labor win 'a referendum on renewable energy'

The Clean Energy Council says the Albanese government's landslide win in the federal election was a vote of confidence by the Australian people in the nation's clean energy future.

Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton said Labor's win provides continuity for strong and effective policy that is critical to underpin new investment in clean energy.

"This election was a referendum on renewable energy. The Australian people have reconfirmed their strong support for wind and solar backed by batteries, pumped hydro and a small amount of gas," Thornton said.

"It's now time to leave the politics behind and get on with the job of rolling out renewable energy to deliver affordable and reliable power for all Australians.

"We look forward to working with the Albanese government and the next Australian Parliament to ensure strong, stable and effective policy for the transition to clean energy."

Likewise, the Clean Energy Investor Group (CEIG) reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the government to progress an ambitious clean energy and climate agenda.

"Australia has the chance to seize a global leadership role in the clean energy transition - but we must act decisively," CEIG head of policy Marilyne Crestias said.

"With policy uncertainty clouding the investment outlook in the United States, Australia has a new opportunity to attract diverted capital and accelerate our transition to a net zero economy.

"This election has shown yet again that Australians back renewable energy, and want to see national leadership to match."

Crestias said a strong climate policy would unlock billions in investment, drive regional economic development, create high-quality jobs, and ensure a smooth energy transition.

"The international community - and investors - are watching. This is our chance to demonstrate that Australia is serious about climate action," Crestias said.

Meantime, Greenpeace Australia Pacific head of advocacy Susie Byers said the Labor win shows Australians did not respond to "Trumpist" policies, which it said the Coalition was pushing, labelling the party "anti-nature, anti-science and divisive".

"Australians are voting for climate and nature protection in overwhelming numbers. This also shows that while cost of living was front of mind for everyone, many Australians also care deeply about the climate crisis and the accelerating decline of our natural world, and action to address both issues is, in fact, complementary," Byers said.

"We're already at the halfway point in the critical decade for climate action and have no time to lose. The Albanese government has an opportunity to show bold and ambitious leadership on climate and nature, and to set Australia up to reap the benefits of the clean energy transition - supporting jobs and economic growth, the environment, and playing our part in global emissions reduction in the process."

However, the Albanese government has more work to do when it comes to protecting Australia's wildlife.

"After the Albanese government failed to deliver its promised nature law reform, the health of our oceans, forests and wildlife continue to be in a state of freefall - placing species like the Maugean skate and koala at risk of extinction," Greenpeace Australia Pacific head of nature Glenn Walker said.

"Labor has promised to follow through on its unrealised promise last term to reform Australia's broken national nature law. A strong national nature law is good for business and good for the planet. Ambitious action to strengthen our nature laws gives certainty to business and sends a clear signal that Australia is serious in its commitment to protecting the climate and environment."

Also calling for action was Housing Industry Association (HIA) managing director Jocelyn Martin, who asked the newly re-elected government to make housing a first-order priority.

"Access to a home - whether to rent or own - is becoming unattainable for too many Australians. This is a challenge that demands a major response in the first days and weeks of the new term of government," Martin said."HIA has been clear throughout the election campaign that all sides of politics must provide bold and courageous leadership to deliver on the nations critical housing shortages and meet the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes."The industry has laid out the plan - through HIA's Let's Build agenda - to fast-track planning, unlock land, invest in infrastructure, and build the skilled workforce needed to deliver the homes Australia needs."