2017-10-09
Waxing lyrical about cheap renewables isn’t a national plan: Bandt
Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today slammed speculation that the Turnbull government is backing away from the Clean Energy Target, saying that while the cost of renewables is falling, a coherent national policy is essential to rapidly drive the transition away from coal. Mr Bandt also said Labor’s failure to plan for coal closure would hobble the energy transition.
“To meet our Paris obligations and to complete the energy transition, we need a plan to retire coal-fired power stations,” said Mr Bandt.
“Right now, it seems like Josh Frydenberg’s main ‘plan’ to transition the energy system is to wax lyrical about renewables while simultaneously pushing to extend the life of decrepit coal-fired power stations.
“Josh Frydenberg can’t outsource his job to the market. Coal gets the biggest subsidy of all because it can pollute for free. Until coal pays for its pollution and its retirement is planned, renewables are at a disadvantage. The government must play a role in driving the transition away from coal and into renewables, including through an extended Renewable Energy Target.
“Labor is crabwalking back towards coal. In Parliament last month, Labor voted against a motion put forward by The Greens to close Liddell and develop a plan for the orderly retirement of coal-fired power stations.
“The major parties are wedded to coal and can’t solve the biggest issues facing our country.
“Only The Greens have a plan to transition our energy system towards renewables and away from coal, bringing down prices and pollution along the way.”
Media contact: Gideon Reisner, 0429 109 054
TW: @AdamBandt FB: facebook.com/Adam.Bandt.MP
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Text of the motion that Labor voted against on 11/09/17 in the Senate:
That the Senate supports the closure of Liddell power station in 2022, as currently planned, and calls on the government to:
- abandon any attempts to extend the life of this aging coal-fired power station;
- address any issues of security of supply through means identified by the Australian Energy Market Operator, such as dispatchable renewables, storage and demand management; and
- develop a plan for the orderly retirement of coal-fired power stations in Australia.