Despite plenty of hype and grand promises approaching $2 billion, the Rudd Government has not spent one cent on baseload solar power since it election, and existing plans look increasingly like “Hollow Men” stunts.
Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, is detailing the Rudd Government’s grand deception on large scale solar power at the annual conference of the Australia and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES) in Townsville today.
“Prime Minister Rudd’s reputation for making grand announcements and failing to back them up with anything substantial is nowhere more brazen than in relation to you – Australia’s clean, green and clever solar sector,” Senator Milne told the conference.
“The $1.6 billion Solar Flagships scheme is a prize ‘Hollow Men’ creation.
“Six months after it was announced, we still have nothing more than the Budget night press release and growing concerns that it simply cannot deliver what was promised because nobody in the Government cared enough to think it through or consult with you, the experts.
“The half billion dollar Renewable Energy Development Program that was promised 18 months ago has still not delivered one cent, even though Mr Rudd committed last December that $100 million of it would be spent in the financial year just ended.
“And the $135 million of REDP funding that had been earmarked for solar technologies has suddenly disappeared. In June you were told to start applying for that funding, and in September you were told you are no longer eligible.
“You should not put up with being treated this way, when coal companies and other big polluters get unlimited access to senior Ministers and almost always get their way.
“The Government and Opposition have repeatedly joined forces to block Greens moves to give you what you want and need to deliver a jobs boom and tremendous emissions reductions. My bill for a gross national feed-in tariff and my amendments to the Renewable Energy Target legislation are a case in point.
“We Greens are offering you what you want, but unless you demand action and explicitly support our legislative amendments and Private Member’s Bills, we cannot hope to succeed.
“With China, India, much of Europe and many US states adopting renewable energy feed-in tariffs like the one I have before the Senate, Australia risks being left far behind as the world moves into the renewably-powered future.
“I remind you that, last year, I urged you to stand up and demand real action or go overseas. Again, I say to you, refuse to give the Government the photo opportunities they so desperately need until they deliver on their promises.”
Senator Milne’s speaking notes, with details of the Solar Flagships and REDP deceptions, Here: ANZSES_Conf_09_speaking_notes.pdf
Senator Christine Milne
