E&OE….
Topics: Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, Renewable Energy Target
GREG HUNT:
I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council. The 10-year vision is about practical action to improve the waterways, reduce sediment, reduce nitrogen, reduce pesticides, and increase the future for threatened species.
So this is a practical plan to improve the Peel-Harvey and we’re supporting it with $3.8 million.
Most importantly, it’s the locals led by people such as Don Randall that will be in the field working with up to twenty Green Army teams over the next five years. And an area under stress can not only be protected, it can also be improved.
JOURNALIST:
Just on the Renewable Energy Target – do you support Dan Tehan’s push for a Renewable Energy Target of 33,000 gigawatts?
GREG HUNT:
We want an outcome and I would formally invite the ALP to sit with us and resolve it. We can achieve a renewable energy target of 23 per cent.
I think it’s time for the ALP to meet with the Government to achieve an outcome to ensure that we can double the renewable energy which is currently in place under the Renewable Energy Target to achieve something in the vicinity of 23 per cent, and I welcome his constructive contribution.
JOURNALIST:
Will you approach Labor to discuss 33,000 as a compromise?
GREG HUNT:
We’ll approach Labor to discuss an approach between the two of us. So, I’ve invited them today and we would like the ALP to meet with us in the next ten days to discuss an outcome, but neither side of course will, of course, pre-empt their positions. Our position hasn’t changed, but we are ready and willing to talk with the ALP.
We can resolve this. The distance between the two parties isn’t far. It’s time to get a resolution. It took a year for the ALP to put a figure on the table but I think we can do this, do this quickly and achieve a renewable energy outcome in the vicinity of 23 per cent for Australia.
JOURNALIST:
Just to clarify, you won’t go to them with that specific number?
GREG HUNT:
Look, I won’t put specific figures on the table. Our position hasn’t changed and their position hasn’t changed, but I actually think we can achieve this.
The approximate figure for Australia is 23 per cent of renewable energy – more than people had previously anticipated. I think that would be a great outcome. It’s about getting jobs on the ground. It’s about ensuring that we have emissions reduction but doing it in a way which doesn’t add to electricity costs for Australian families.
JOURNALIST:
Do you expect Minister Macfarlane to fail in his negotiations with the Senate on a 32,000 gigawatt target?
GREG HUNT:
Look, I don’t want to go into private discussions from other ministers, but he’s doing a tremendous job.
But all up, our preference has always been for a bipartisan agreement. For a year, the ALP was on strike. Bill Shorten called the ALP on strike for a year. I hope that they will come off strike, back into discussions and let’s talk with the ALP.
We’re very close. We can achieve an outcome which improves renewable energy, protects Australian jobs, and also ensures that Australian families do not face higher electricity prices.
Thanks very much.
(ENDS)