Letter to Australian Government

Earlier this year, NCCA's Australian Churches Ecological Taskforce (ACET) wrote to the Australian Government urging them to create policies to reduce greenhouse gas while protecting human rights. The request targets the production of solar panels and proposes that Government support local production.

The letter, addressed to Minister Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, states: "We are particularly concerned about the use of forced labour in Xinjiang province in China within the supply chains of almost all solar panels currently in the market." 

The letter continues on to describe the issue in detail and proposes that the Government support a local solar panel production capability as one possible solution. 

This follows the support Government has given: 

• Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics to develop new solar technologies - announced in June 2022.
• The Silicon to Solar study, an initiative of the Australian Photovoltaic Institute -  announced in July 2023.

The Taskforce urges the Commonwealth Government to provide support to the development of an Australian solar panel manufacturing industry free from forced labour. They have also indicated  an openness to meet "to discuss how Australian churches can support a just transition to net-zero emissions."

The letter was also sent to the Hon. Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science and Senator Tim Ayres,  Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Assistant Minister for Trade drawing the Taskforce’s concerns and bringing attention to this through various avenues. If you wish to read the letter or learn more, please contact us via email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  and we will put you in contact with the Chair of the Taskforce.