GEORGE CHRISTENSEN FAILS TO STAND UP FOR SOLAR: LOCAL RESIDENTS DISMAYED
Local residents in the seat of Dawson are disappointed that local member George Christensen refused to take the Stand Up For Solar pledge in a meeting on Friday.
Solar Citizens members met with Mr Christensen to talk to him about how solar was reducing their power bills and asked him for a commitment to:
a national goal of at least 50% renewable energy by 2030;
a fair go for solar owners, including a fair feed-in tariff, no discriminatory fees and a specialist solar ombudsman; and
a national program to help low-income households and renters with soaring power bills to go solar.
Despite a polite and productive meeting, Mr Christensen told locals he unequivocally did not commit to a renewable energy goal of at least 50 per cent by 2030.
“Everyday community members in Dawson have chosen to invest in rooftop solar as a great way to reduce their power bills and generate cleaner energy,” said Dan Scaysbrook, Campaigns Director at Solar Citizens.
“The Federal Liberal National Party should, at the very least, match Federal Labor’s commitment to a goal of at least 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. Solar Citizens is calling on Mr Christensen and all LNP members to support this goal.
“As a local member Mr Christensen should be supporting the 9,000 solar homes in his electorate by championing this renewable energy goal - a goal the Australian community actively favours.
“Renewable energy for Australia will create a better future for our children, grow thousands of jobs, lower power bills for Australian families and help them generate clean energy from the sun.
“Over coming months, solar homeowners will be meeting with their local members and asking them to sign the Stand Up For Solar pledge. It’s time their political leaders supported the community and ensured a bright future for solar,” he said.
Media contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533
Stand Up For Solar calls for:
1. A strong solar and renewables goal
Australians want to see more solar and renewables, not less. A national goal of at least 50% of our energy generated by renewables by 2030 will help millions of families go solar, create tens of thousands of jobs and ensure billions in investment for our sunny country.
2. A fair go for solar owners
Going solar should be easy but big power companies simply aren’t playing fair. We want to see an end to discriminatory fees for solar owners, a fair feed-in tariff for power fed back into the grid and a specialist solar ombudsman to protect consumers’ rights in every state and territory.
3. Helping households with soaring power bills
The only guaranteed way people can take control of spiralling power costs is by installing solar. We want to see a strong national program to support low-income households and renters switch to solar and help with the rising cost of living.
Read more about the campaign and take the pledge at www.standupforsolar.org.au
