Byrnes was born on 5 February 1974 in Wollongong, New South Wales.[1] She is the daughter of Petronella and Ron Byrnes; her mother was born in the Netherlands and arrived in Australia as a child.[2]
Byrnes has worked for the ALP since the age of 16.[4] She was a staffer to Cunningham MP Sharon Bird for 18 years,[5] including as chief of staff.[6] Following Bird's retirement, she won ALP preselection for Cunningham in February 2022.[5] She was chosen unopposed following the withdrawal of her main opponent, Misha Zelinsky.[4] At the 2022 federal election, she retained Cunningham for the ALP with 65% of the two-party preferred vote.[7][8]
Views
Local Energy Production and Storage
Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone
Byrnes has advocated for local renewable energy and especially offshore wind power stating that "Unlocking offshore wind in the Illawarra will help to power households, businesses and industries while creating local jobs."[9] During the initial consultation phase of the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone proposal[8][10] Alison Byrnes hosted two community consultation sessions in addition to the six sessions run by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.[11][12][13]
Alison Byrnes released her offshore wind zone submission in favour of the proposal but recommended multiple changes.[14][15] Alison Byrnes made multiple recommendations including resizing the zone to be no closer than 20 kilometres to shore,[16][14] offshore wind turbines to be manufactured in Port Kembla using local steel[15][17] and a community benefit scheme which could be a discount on electricity for local residents or provide a dividend of revenue from the wind farm to local community interests and projects.[15][18]
On the 15th of June 2024, the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone was declared with the new zone being 20 kilometres away from the coast.[19][20] During the press conference the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen declined a local steel content quota and local economic benefit plan stating "What I can guarantee is that proposals for licence applications with strong local content plans, whether it be steel or other local economic benefit plans, will receive very strong consideration." and also said "If proponents put in a licence application which doesn't have any community benefit for the Illawarra, they won't be receiving much attention from me."[21][17]
Alison Byrnes reiterated her support for a community benefit scheme and for local steel content "My expectation is that all proponents not only make sure that their projects meet the highest environmental standards but also incorporate local content, including the use of locally produced steel, and local workforce and develop a strong benefit sharing scheme so that our community meaningfully benefits from hosting an offshore wind farm should one be developed,".[20][22]
A senate inquiry into the offshore wind zone consultation process passed the senate.[23][24] In response, Alison Byrnes alongside fellow members of parliament, Stephen Jones and Fiona Phillips made a joint submission into the consultation process and the broader community awareness of the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone.[25][26]
