The Hodgman government must come clean on whether it is lobbying Canberra to retain or cut the current Renewable Energy Target, Greens Leader and Energy spokesperson Kim Booth MP said today.
“Given the Energy Minister’s slippery non-answer when questioned on his position, it is clear the Hodgman regime has dropped the ball on the RET,” Mr Booth said.
“Mr Groom failed to state clearly whether he is lobbying the federal government to retain the 41, 000 gigawatt hour target, or whether he has joined Federal Labor’s push to reduce the target.”
“Minister Groom deliberately prevaricated over the Liberals’ position, whether he supported Federal Labor’s push to cut the RET, and what the cost to Tasmania would be should the RET be cut or abolished.”
“What has the Minister got to hide?”
“Tasmanians deserve a straight answer to these queries over a serious public policy matter critical to the State’s economic future. What is the government’s formal position on the RET, has the Minister been lobbying for the retention of the 41, 000 gigawatt hour target, and if not, what have they lobbied for?”
“The evasive and slippery response of Mr Groom when asked to detail the government’s formal position on the RET, and whether he is standing up for Tasmania in Canberra does not bode well for the State’s renewable sector.”
“Tasmania has already borne the brunt of the Liberals’ repeal of the carbon price which has cost the state an estimated $120 million each year, and it appears that Minister Groom is happy to see the benefits of the RET for the state also eroded.”
“Make no mistake, a failure to stand up for the RET will cost both the economy and the climate,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader
