Abbott’s attack on renewable energy holds back power cost savings and growth of industry
The Abbott Government’s continued attack on the Renewable Energy Target is a broken election promise that is destroying the renewable energy industry and holding back savings on household power bills, according to Solar Citizens.
Since being elected, Tony Abbott has waged a ferocious attack on renewables that is already harming the industry in Australia and could run it into the ground, Solar Citizens National Campaigns Director Taegen Edwards said today.
“Abbott’s backflip in support for solar energy puts thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of investment at risk and ultimately pushes up power prices for everyone,” she said.
“Business needs consistent policy to invest and householders need access to solar and other forms of renewable power to reduce their electricity bills.
“The move to break this promise on renewable energy was another bad ‘captain’s call’ from Abbott. It shows he is out of step with the community, many in his own party and other political leaders who want more, not less renewable energy in the country’s power mix.
“The Renewable Energy Target is extremely popular, with polls showing 89% of Australians want to keep or strengthen the Target, including 64% of self-identified Liberal voters. Prime Minister Abbott should be listening to the people rather than making decisions that only benefit the big power companies.
“Abbott’s assault on renewable energy risks losing more than 8,000 jobs and billions of dollars of investment in renewable energy, one of Australia’s most successful and promising new industries.
“We call on the Federal Government to restore jobs and growth in the renewables sector in Australia by restoring its support for the full 41,000 Gwh Target,” Ms Edwards said
Taegen Edwards is available for comment
Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0421 367 175
