TONY ABBOTT'S PLAN TO ABOLISH RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET

Media Release

Date:  18 February 2014

The Abbott Government’s appointment of Dick Warburton indicates its lack of commitment to a clean energy future for Australia. Mr Warburton has previously stated he does not accept the science of climate change and has today confirmed his scepticism of the contribution of human activity to climate change.

“How can Mr Warburton be objective in his analysis of the renewable energy sector if he does not think climate change has any connection with emissions from burning fossil fuels?” Shadow Minister for Climate Change Mark Butler said.

It is also interesting that the review will be organised by Tony Abbott’s office, despite clearly falling within the environment and industry portfolios.

“Tony Abbott is preparing to break yet another promise,” Mr Butler said.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane have previously supported the Renewable Energy Target, while Tony Abbott has repeatedly questioned its role in Australia’s energy market.

“Tony Abbott has indicated he’d like to see the Renewable Energy Target abolished and he’s taking all the right steps to see that happen by removing the responsibility of the review from his ministers who support it and appointing a committee chair who does not support it.”

Previous reviews of the Renewable Energy Target have shown the policy is delivering clean energy such as solar and wind, while providing thousands of jobs and significant investment across Australia.

The existing Renewable Energy Target, where renewable energy will account for 20 per cent of Australia’s energy generation by 2020, is just part of a suite of comprehensive policies to take Australia towards a clean energy future. The industry currently attracts around $18 billion of investment and is expected to see another $18 billion through the life of the Renewable Energy Target.

“Labor’s Renewable Energy Target is driving investment in the sector, creating jobs and reducing Australia’s carbon pollution,” Mr Butler said.

“While Labor was in government, jobs in the renewable energy sector tripled, its share of the National Electricity Market grew by 25 per cent in 2012-13 alone, and households with solar panels rose from less than 8,000 to more than 1 million.”

Labor knows investment in renewable energy will position Australia to transition towards a clean energy future.

“The Coalition Government has not developed a comprehensive strategy to create the appropriate balance in energy generation and move Australia from its reliance on coal-generated energy.”

“Labor had a structure to ensure Australia would make this transition, while Tony Abbott is dismantling that structure and sending Australia backwards.”