An Open Letter to Australian Governments:
Australia must break our dependence on global oil and choose a healthier future
Australia’s dependence on oil leaves households, communities, hospitals and other essential services exposed to global instability, yet our abundant renewable resources offer a path to a cleaner, healthier and more resilient future.
The catastrophic events unfolding in the Middle East have starkly demonstrated Australia's dependency on the global oil supply.
When conflict disrupts oil markets, Australians feel it immediately. Transport fuel costs increase, groceries become more expensive, and mortgages are more sensitive to rate rises. For families already under pressure, this adds to greater financial stress, and can make it harder to afford essentials, including access to health care. These pressures worsen mental strain, contributing to sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
Beyond these economic impacts and their consequent health threats, we also see the human and environmental costs of war. Armed conflict causes tragic loss of lives, as well as profound physical and psychological harm, devastates communities, destroys health systems, and displaces populations. War damages our natural environment, as missiles, landmines and other weapons release pollutants that contaminate soils and water.
At the same time, the continued burning of oil in Australia and globally is driving climate change and its growing health harms, including extreme heat, severe weather and infectious diseases. Air pollution from burning oil contributes to heart disease, respiratory illness and premature death.
Reducing our dependence on oil is therefore a health, environmental and cost of living imperative.
Australia is uniquely placed to change course. Our sun and wind can power clean transport, reduce air pollution and protect households from volatile fuel prices. Electrifying transport, funding infrastructure in rural communities and strengthening sustainable farming systems would improve health while building a more secure and resilient economy. The rise of renewable energy is already underway, with record generation supplying more than half of total energy needs for the first time in the last three months of 2025.
We call on the governments at all levels to act now and accelerate this transition to clean energy for a healthier, more sustainable and resilient Australia.
Yours sincerely,
