The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook released by the Gillard Government today announced spending of $10.8 million on climate change committees; with the money to come from renewable energy funding says the Opposition.
According to Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage, Greg Hunt, the money to pay for these committees “is being ripped out of the Renewable Energy Future Fund.”
The Renewable Energy Future Fund is for the development and deployment of large and small scale renewable energy projects, such as solar power and to help Australian businesses and households reduce their energy consumption.
The Renewable Energy Future Fund is part of the Government’s $5.1 billion Clean Energy Initiative, which includes the $1.5 billion Solar Flagships Program and controversial $2 billion Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships Program; designed to accelerate the development and demonstration of CCS technologies.
“Labor is stripping money away from a renewable energy fund to spend it on talk-fests and advertising,” said Mr. Hunt. “This is a reduction of almost $11 million in renewable energy funding to spend on self-promotion.”
The Multi-Party Climate Change Committee will explore options for the introduction of a carbon price cost taxpayers and cost $5.2 million. Labor’s Climate Change Commission, which will engage in public outreach work to inform the Australian community about climate change and pricing carbon; will cost taxpayers $5.6 million.
