Senator Lisa Singh has labelled Tasmanian Liberal Senators as “slow learners”. More than six months after the Abbott Government’s politically motivated Warburton Review started its work and consultation on the Renewable Energy Target, they have finally come out and taken a position.
“Eric Abetz should have been defending Tasmania’s renewable energy industry from the beginning against the threats from climate sceptics in the Coalition,” Senator Singh said.
“But when I asked him in Senate Question Time as recently as 17 July this year whether he could confirm a commitment to the RET, he refused to take a position, saying only:
‘I can confirm that the government are committed to undertaking the review which was always on the cards and which is now being undertaken… Are we committed to renewable energy? The government are committed to working through these issues…’
“It is only now, after the Warburton Report has been completed and with the RET in jeopardy, that Senator Abetz has decided to say something,” the Senator said.
Those in the renewable energy sector have been calling on him and his government to secure investment and jobs for months. In its submission to the review and subsequent public comments Hydro Tasmania has made it clear that the RET is essential to investment in its renewable energy projects, including the progress of the $2 billion King Island hybrid renewable development.
“Tasmania cannot turn its back on the jobs and economic growth provided by renewable energy. We are a hallmark state in this area, providing half of Australia’s supply of renewable energy.
“That is why Labor is committed to stopping the Abbott Government abolishing the Renewable Energy Target, which has helped generate $18 billion in investment since its introduction.”
Figures from the report ”Who really benefits from weakening the Renewable Energy Target?“ show that Tasmania stands to lose $750 million in investment if the RET is abolished.
“Hydro Tasmania has already lost $70m from the abolition of the carbon price and it may also face losses if unable to sell renewable energy certificates. The abolition of the RET will also end the Granville Windfarm project and its 200 job opportunities on the West Coast of Tasmania. There are over 21,000 solar photovoltaic installations in Tasmania providing employment for an estimated 450 people whose jobs are also under threat from the abolition of the RET.
“But while Labor is united behind renewable energy, the Liberals are hopelessly divided, with Tasmanian MPs Whiteley, Hutchinson and Nikolic refusing to come out in support of the RET in conflict with their Senate colleagues,” Senator Singh said.
SENATOR THE HON LISA SINGH LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER
