Thousands of solar supporters gathered at the offices of MP’s and Senators in more than 30 electorates around the country on Friday, calling for the restoration of bipartisan support for Australia’s Renewable Energy Target.
A joint initiative of Solar Citizens, the Clean Energy Council, the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Australian Solar Council; the national rally showed the level of passion for renewables in the general community is as strong as ever.
“We showed the MPs and senators today that the Australian community will accept nothing less than full support for the Renewable Energy Target, with no cuts,” said John Grimes, Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Council.
“The Target will create at least another 18,000 jobs in solar and renewables by 2020 if it’s kept in place – around Australia people are saying ‘We want those jobs in our community’.”
The Abbott government is expected to announce its intentions for the Target this week – and at this point, the situation isn’t encouraging.
“The Renewable Energy Target has been a hugely successful bipartisan policy since it was introduced by the Howard government in 2001,” said Claire O’Rourke, Campaigns Director for Solar Citizens prior to the rally.
“Cutting or axing the Target will make it harder for people to go solar and take control of their power bills, with the cost of installing solar to skyrocket by 30-50% if the Target is cut.”
Currently, available subsidies can reduce the cost of a solar power system by up to $3,120.
The Clean Energy Council has also battled hard to get the message through to government that cuts are not an option.
“Despite more than 80 per cent of Australians being in favour of the RET, the Federal Government is considering slashing it. We need to make sure government understands we will not accept the decimation of our industry,” stated the CEC.
While any detrimental changes the Federal Government may wish to make to the RET appear unlikely to be passed; also of concern are other measures that could be taken to hobble the nation’s solar industry that do not require the support of Labor, the Greens or cross-bench senators.
