New Scorecard launches: Queensland’s solar future at stake in weekend poll
Solar Citizens has launched a new Election 2015 Solar Scorecard so Queenslanders heading to the polls on Saturday are able to “Vote 1 Sun”.
“Our Solar Scorecard lays out all of the major parties’ solar policy, so that when Queenslanders head to the polls they can make an informed choice,” said Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke.
“Overall, Labor, The Greens and The Palmer United Party made positive responses to solar policy questions we put to them. They all have clear plans to support solar and solar homeowners in the Sunshine State.
“However the policies from the Newman Government are bitterly disappointing as it continues its attack on solar home owners.
“The LNP needs to do a better job for solar in QLD. By refusing to commit to a fair feed in tariff, or to protect solar jobs and the Renewable Energy Target they are alienating voters and missing an opportunity to help people take control of spiralling power bills.
“A recent poll conducted found that 27% of Australian households have rooftop solar power installed. The most recent data tells us that there are more than 420,000 solar households in Queensland - all parties contesting Saturday’s election would be wise to remember this.
“The next State Government is responsible for making sure solar and other renewable industries are supported so household power bills come down and new investment and jobs in these promising industries are created for Queensland.
“Solar Citizens urges all candidates contesting the Queensland election to put the support of households who want to benefit from generating their own clean solar energy front and centre in the final days before the poll.”
Claire O’Rourke is available for comment
Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404
See the Queensland Election 2015 Solar Scorecard and the full responses from all parties here: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/scorecard
Solar Citizens: Queensland Election 2015 policy questions put to all major parties:
Solar Citizens has put the following policy positions to Premier Campbell Newman and the leaders of all major parties in Queensland to ask them where they stand on the five major issues facing solar:
1. A FAIR PRICE FOR SOLAR FED INTO THE GRID
Does your party commit to setting a regulated minimum feed-in tariff, set at a fair level for consumers who generate power and feed it back into our state’s energy supply?
2. NO DISCRIMINATORY SOLAR FEES
Does your party guarantee no unfair fixed charges for solar homes and to roll back the ridiculous $500-a-day service charge that discriminates against solar users?
3. TRIAL SOLAR STORAGE - THE WAY OF THE FUTURE
Does your party commit to launching a trial of solar plus storage - the next big thing - in 1000 Queensland homes to test innovation of technology and business models that will allow solar to run day and night and help maintain our state’s energy supply?
4. ONE MILLION SOLAR ROOFTOPS
Will your party commit to setting a target for achieving one million Queensland rooftops (including for low income earners, schools and public buildings) to have solar power installed by end of the next term of government?
5. STAND UP FOR QLD SOLAR JOBS – PROTECT THE RET
Will your party declare full support for the national Renewable Energy Target, that supports thousands of Queensland solar jobs, helps with the price of installation and lowers the wholesale price of power for all consumers, and will your party pledge to call on the Federal Government to expand the RET to at least 50% by 2030?