24-June-2008
Goldstein Media Releases, Environment
The Opposition will use this sitting week to introduce a Private Member’s Bill into Parliament in a bid to scrap this means test which puts solar power out of the reach of many Goldstein residents.
Shadow Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, will introduce the Save our Solar (Solar Protection Rebate) Bill 2008 yet not a single Labor MP will have to stand up and answer for government’s actions that are destroying this emerging clean energy industry.
The Rudd Labor Government has gagged debate in Parliament in further efforts to ensure the dismantling of the Coalition’s successful solar panel rebate scheme.
Federal Member for Goldstein, Andrew Robb MP, criticised the Government for not having the backbone to engage in debate and save the solar panel scheme.
“Labor likes to brag about being green, yet in one of their very firsts acts of government they chose to switch off solar power,” said Mr Robb.
“I think Goldstein residents deserve to know whether Labor Government MPs really support the cuts to the solar panel rebate scheme,” Mr Robb said.
“Following the introduction of the means test in Labor’s first Budget up to 80 per cent of solar panel orders have been cancelled and the industry is now in free fall,” said Mr Robb.
The solar panel industry estimate, given current installations and contracts, Goldstein would have had the highest concentration of solar panels on homes by the end of the year, this is now under threat.
“It is estimated that some 7 out of 10 Bayside residents who have applied for the scheme will no longer be eligible under Labor’s new rules, said Mr Robb.
“This is the height of arrogance from a Government that abandoned its commitment to the solar panel industry soon after securing an election win.”
One of the key outcomes from the Saudi Arabian emergency oil price summit was to encourage the uptake of solar power. Unfortunately, back in Australia, the Rudd Labor Government is doing exactly the opposite.
Media contact: Andrew Hudgson (03) 9557 4644 or 0404 020 896