Bill Shorten says he wants to have a real policy debate on renewables – but where’s his policy?
All we’ve seen today is yet another announcement of a plan for a plan for a plan.
Labor has once again provided no details of how much their so-called ‘plan’ will cost, or how it will be achieved.
Fortunately for Labor, the Department of the Environment has done their work for them.
The Department has costed Labor’s thought bubble, and has found it will cost Australian families a whopping $85 billion.
Bill Shorten says he wants a serious debate about this issue, and I agree that we need one.
But the only party with a credible policy to drive renewables investment in Australia is the Coalition.
This Government is providing over $15 billion in support for renewables and lower emissions.
We are investing in exciting, cutting-edge technology and innovation in this space.
There will be a doubling in large-scale renewable energy between now and 2020 under the Renewable Energy Target.
We have announced the Office of Climate Change of Renewables Innovation which will coordinate the levers of climate and renewables policy in this Government, something the Labor Party never thought to do.
Under this Government, the work of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will be integrated with the Renewable Energy Target and the Emissions Reduction Fund.
A rock solid Renewable Energy Target is providing policy stability and certainty for investors.
Only the Coalition has a responsible, credible and mature policy on renewable energy.
This Government has delivered lower emissions and lower electricity prices. Labor’s failed policy didn’t have any significant impact on emissions and hiked electricity prices – and they want to bring it back.
When Labor backs up its thought bubbles with some substance, I would be delighted to have a serious policy discussion on the enormous potential of renewable energy in Australia.
(ENDS)