2016-09-08
Greens Energy & Climate spokesperson Adam Bandt today said the Australian Renewable Energy Agency's awarding of federal grants to 12 large-scale solar projects across the country will give this clean energy technology a massive boost and put pressure on Bill Shorten and Labor not to support $1 billion in cuts to the agency.
Many of Australia's energy companies today have also called on the government and Labor to retain ARENA funding.
"Bill Shorten, don't kill renewable energy innovation. Don't kill ARENA," Mr Bandt said.
"Today ARENA has announced $100 million for large-scale solar projects across the country. But instead of a bright future, clean energy in Australia is under a dark cloud as Bill Shorten and Labor still refuse to commit to protecting $1 billion in funding for ARENA."
"Bill Shorten needs to listen to energy companies, the CSIRO, university solar researchers and the Australian people who all say ARENA's funding should continue."
"Australia could be a renewable energy superpower, yet we have a government intent on sending us back to the dark ages by cutting clean energy while simultaneously handing out billions to the fossil fuel industry and an opposition who may wave through these cuts."
The Labor Shadow Cabinet may meet today to consider ARENA's future and the $1 billion cut contained in the Omnibus Bill currently before the Parliament.
Media contact: Adam Pulford, 0429 109 054