2016-04-13
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency projects announced by the Turnbull Government today would likely not be eligible for funding under the Turnbull Government's proposed changes.
Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and climate change spokesperson, said the Turnbull Government had announced an end to ARENA's grants program which is critical for R&D.
"On one hand the Turnbull Government is announcing ARENA's exciting new research projects, while on the other hand it's cutting $1.3 billion in funding and abolishing the grants program in favour of debt and equity.
"It's hypocritical for the Turnbull Government to be championing the very same types of projects that they are making sure will be among the last of the kind.
"Australian scientists could never have invented wi-fi if their research had to turn a profit, because real, transformative, innovation does not always make money in the short term.
"Malcolm Turnbull is locking in Tony Abbott's $1.3 billion cuts which would leave ARENA an empty shell, administering existing grants.
"Right when we need to act on global warming, the Turnbull Government is cutting the renewable energy grants that allow Australia to export innovative, climate-saving ideas to the world," Senator Waters said.