Peter Garrett has more than enough evidence to reverse his decision to means test the rooftop solar rebate immediately, Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, said today.
Senator Milne said, "Peter Garrett should be congratulated for belatedly recognising that he and the Government have made a huge mistake in means testing the rooftop solar rebate. But it will be a measure of the Government's strength if it is prepared now to acknowledge this mistake and reverse the decision immediately.
"Promising to review the impact of the decision, when there is evidence aplenty that it is already having a tremendous impact, is an attempt to defuse the situation in the hope that, over time, people will be distracted by other issues and the Government can quietly forget about it.
"As well as being an excuse for inaction and diversionary tactics, monitoring is a recipe for a return to the boom and bust cycles of the Howard Government's stop-start solar programs.
"The impact of this means test was obvious from day one, with jobs lost and the viability of businesses threatened.
"Just like watching petrol prices go up with Fuel Watch, watching businesses go broke thanks to this means test is no substitute for action. In both cases, appropriate preparation and foresight would have prevented a lot of pain.
"This Government does not seem to realise yet that it is there not to observe the impacts of its decisions but to make informed decisions. Governments are there to look through the windscreen, not the rear vision mirror.
"This has been a hit and run on the Australian solar industry. The Government wasn't looking where it was going and now needs to make recompense, not just observe the victim's injuries.
"I call upon Minister Garrett and Prime Minister Rudd to do away with this means test today and prevent the pain to this exciting, sustainable, future-focussed Australian industry, instead of sitting back and watching as it collapses."
For More Information:
Tim Hollo
Email: tim.hollo@aph.gov.au
Phone: 0437 587 562