Renewable energy abandoned by both Labor and Coalition
Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Thursday 19th August 2010, 3:12pm
Share
in Renewable Energy
The Australian Greens are the only party backing the transition to renewable energy, with both Labor and the Coalition cutting $416.5 million out of renewable energy programs during the election.
While the Greens have used the campaign to promote a plan to transform Australia to 100% renewable energy, alongside a suite of policies to make that happen, the Coalition has now lined up behind Labor’s promise to cut $220 million from the Solar Flagships Program, $150 million from the renewable Energy Bonus Scheme and $46.5 million from the Renewable Energy Future Fund.
“Despite promising ‘record investment in renewable energy’, Prime Minister Gillard has used this election campaign to pull funding out of renewable energy at a record rate,” Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.
“Tragically for all those Australians who want to see real climate action, who want jobs in renewable energy or who are investing in renewable energy technologies, Tony Abbott has lined up with the Prime Minister, matching her cuts dollar for dollar.
“The only choice for Australians who want to see Australia powered by the sun, wind, ocean and earth is to help give the Greens the strongest possible presence in the parliament.”
In recent days, renewable energy developers have expressed fears that the $1 billion Macarthur wind farm announced recently for Victoria could take up the bulk of the Renewable Energy Target, reducing incentives to build more.
“The renewable energy industry has an extraordinary capacity to meet and exceed growth expectations – each time a target is set it ends up turning into a cap on the growth of the industry as installations overtake the target.
“With enormous potential for so many renewable energy technologies now being constrained again by a target lifted so recently, Labor and the Coalition need to take their foot off the brakes and let the industry grow!
“The Greens policies for a gross national feed-in tariff, loan guarantees for baseload renewable energy power plants and pre-planning for renewable energy development zones would see our national plan to transition to 100% renewables over coming decades become a reality.
“Australians clearly want renewable energy and study after study has shown it is technically ready to power Australia, yet both of the old parties have spent the election campaign tearing funding away from it.
“When challenged on this at the National Press Club today, the Prime Minister completely ignored the question.
“The Greens will continue to use our voice in parliament to increase support for renewable energy.”
Recent Comments