10-June-2009
Goldstein Media Releases, Environment, Community
The Rudd Labor Government has scrapped the Coalition’s $8,000 solar panel rebate scheme without warning; leaving Bayside residents and the solar industry frustrated and ultimately worse off.
The $8,000 solar panel rebate was due to expire at the end of the month but as of Tuesday 9 June it has been dumped – and only at a few hours notice.
“The Labor Government has cut the scheme three weeks early, and to make matters worse, they have failed to provide adequate warning.
“It seems the environment is paying the price for Mr Rudd’s mismanagement of the economy,” Andrew Robb, Federal Member for Goldstein, said.
The solar industry is shocked and has been left ill prepared. Solar shops were required to frantically contact their customers and warn them there was only until the end of the day before the $8,000 solar panel rebate would no longer be available.
These changes follow the introduction of the means test for the solar panel rebate in Labor’s first Budget, which resulted in up to 80 per cent of solar panel orders being cancelled and the industry being plunged into free fall.
“Had Labor not introduced the means test just twelve months ago, the solar industry estimated, Goldstein would have had the highest concentration of solar panels on homes in Australia by the end of 2008,” Mr Robb said.
A new alternative scheme is being introduced by the Rudd Labor Government, but solar suppliers insist people will only receive half of what they would have previously. Under the Coalition’s scheme, households received $8,000 plus the value of the Renewable Energy Certificate, generally about $1,000. The solar industry has advised, under the Labor’s scheme, people who buy a 1kW solar unit will be $4,000 to $4,500 worse off.
“The Coalition’s $8,000 rebate helped many families overcome the initial costs and also save money in the long term.
“Under Labor’s new scheme, many of those opt for solar energy will be $4,000 to $4,500 worse off.
“This is very disappointing for Bayside families who have been at the forefront of environmental sustainability attempts,” Mr Robb said.
Media contact: Skye Buttenshaw, 9557 4644