RENEWABLE ENERGY WILL HAVE BRIGHT FUTURE UNDER A SHORTEN LABOR GOVERNMENT

Mark Butler MP.

Shadow Minister for Environment
 Climate Change and Water

Date:  18 May 2015

Labor is pleased the Abbott Government has finally backed down today on insisting the Renewable Energy Target should be reviewed every two years. 

The uncertainty Tony Abbott created by appointing Dick Warbuton to review renewable energy more than 18 months ago has cost billions in investment and sent Australian jobs overseas. 

The renewable energy sector simply can’t afford for that to happen again. 

The Government has agreed to Labor’s principles for a deal of the Renewable Energy Target - this deal is supported by the clean energy industry:  

• Large Scale Renewable Energy Target of 33,00GWh by 2020
• No change to small scale solar scheme
• Full exemption for emissions intensive trade industries
• Removal of two-yearly reviews of the Renewable Energy Target 

Labor is appalled at the Government’s refusal to take this action sooner. 

The Abbott Government has almost destroyed the renewable energy industry - Labor hopes that this deal will ensure it can recover and play an important role into the future. 

Labor has been fighting every day to protect the renewable energy industry and the tens of thousands of people it employs, and the low-cost energy sources that it represents. 

Labor will use the revised RET as a floor to build on. 

If re-elected, Labor will increase the 2020 RET based on advice from stakeholders in the industry and finance sectors. 

Labor also remains opposed to the inclusion of burning native wood waste in any renewable energy scheme.  If the Government insists on including this in the legislation, Labor will strenuously oppose it in the Parliament. 

Labor has also begun consultation for its post-2020 renewable energy policy. Labor believes renewable energy has an important role to play in Australia’s energy mix and will rebuild the policy structure required to see this industry grow. 

Under Labor, households with solar panels on their roofs rose from 7,000 to more than 1.2 million, jobs in the renewable energy industry tripled and Australia was ranked in the top four most attractive countries in the world to invest in renewable energy. 

It’s Labor’s vision to see Australia return to be a global leader in renewable energy generation, research and development. 

We firmly believe Australia should be at the forefront of renewable energy, not falling further behind. 

Renewable energy has a bright future in Australia under Labor.