The Switch: Tegan Lerm of Build a Ballot
Tegan Lerm’s journey into the climate movement began during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires. Distraught and feeling an urgent need to do something to help, Tegan spent lockdown studying for a Masters’ Degree in Sustainability. She graduated feeling that everyone should be able to access what she’d learned so it wasn’t “stuck behind a $60,000 paywall”.
So, in 2021, she teamed up with Lizzie Hedding to found Project Planet, which gives people ways to do something about climate change according to their comfort level, passions and skills. It’s full of brilliant and simple ideas.
Now, with an election coming up, Project Planet has launched the Build A Ballot campaign.
Meet Build a Ballot
Not 100% clued up on what’s going on in politics? Build a Ballot cuts through the noise with clear, easy-to-understand explainers and resources to help you compare where candidates and parties stand on the issues that matter to you. With this info, you can head to the polls confident in your choice.
Their web tool will launch a few weeks before the election, so you can explore your options, get prepared (and share it with your mates who might need a hand figuring it all out).
“People care deeply about issues, whether that be climate change or other issues like access to housing or the cost of groceries,” says Tegan.
“Build a Ballot is there to help people do their own research, cut through the noise of the current headlines, and really engage with Australia's political system in a way that empowers them to vote in line with their values on election day.”
3 questions with Tegan
What gets you out of bed each day?
The work we're doing at Project Planet is hopefully contributing to a better, safer, more equitable planet for everyone. And on a practical level, I go to the gym every morning and it really sets up my day well. I can think better if I've gotten out of bed and exercised. Doing a gym or Pilates class gets me out of bed – and also means I'm not on my phone first thing in the morning.
How are you contributing to our planet beyond your super?
The reality is, policy and our political leadership is going to have a huge impact on our planet because it could be the difference between action on climate change and no action. That's why Build A Ballot is so important. All of our votes contribute to the future of our planet. But on a personal note, there are things that I have implemented in my life, which feel quite high impact.
I don't drive any more. I've sold my car. I'm a public transport jolly through and through, which is easy to do where I live in Melbourne; public transport is great here.
As a renter, I obviously don't have the ability to put solar panels on my roof or install a battery, but I do purchase my energy from a renewable energy provider, I obviously use an ethical super fund and bank with an ethical bank. Those are some major actions that have such high impact, but are often overlooked by people as simple ways to contribute to the planet.
What people powered movement is making a difference in 2025?
An ongoing campaign: the Duty of Care bill that was introduced by David Pocock, which grew out of Anjali Sharma's case against the Environment Minister a few years ago. [Sharma is pushing for the 2022 Climate Change Act to consider the wellbeing of current and future children, which it currently doesn’t].
I think it’s an incredible, people-powered movement. It is so inspiring to me that a generation of young people are growing up and are really pushing for change from our leaders.
There’s a new chapter of the Duty of Care campaign now, in that they’ve partnered with Frontrunners, getting athletes to support the campaign. I love the idea of working all together because Australian culture is so entrenched in sporting culture. When people see their favourite athletes talking about climate change, it normalises that conversation for the broader community.
