2025-06-26
Responding to a community protest supporting BREAZE, a volunteer-run renewable energy group recently cut from funding by the City of Ballarat, Senator Steph Hodgins-May and Sarah Mansfield MLC have raised serious concerns about transparency and fairness.
The group says the decision was made without good-faith engagement and was based on unrelated political views expressed by a former board member speaking out against the genocide in Gaza.
BREAZE plays a crucial role in driving Ballarat’s clean energy transition. This move threatens to stall Ballarat’s renewable progress and erode community trust.
Quotes attributable to Greens Senator for Victoria, Steph Hodgins-May:
“BREAZE is an incredible volunteer-run organisation helping power Ballarat’s clean energy future.
“The council has cut ties with this vital community group, and refuses to engage with them in good faith, all because of posts by a former board member that, like so many Australians, express horror at the genocide taking place in Gaza.
"This will jeopardise Ballarat’s ability to respond to the climate crisis and drive the renewable energy transition.
“In a healthy democracy, we need space to speak openly and freely.
“The community deserves transparency and fairness. This decision should be revisited and funding restored so BREAZE can get on with building a cleaner, brighter future for Ballarat.”
Quotes attributable to Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens and MLC for Western Victoria, Dr Sarah Mansfield:
“The council’s decision to cut the funding of a community group working for real climate action with the people of Ballarat undermines crucial efforts towards cleaner, more sustainable energy, as well as community trust.
“The council has failed to engage fairly or transparently with BREAZE, raising serious concerns about this decision, and I’d urge them to restore funding to BREAZE so they can continue their vital work empowering the Ballarat community towards zero emissions.”