Antinuclear

Government’s snap decision to close solar rebate scheme will damage this emerging export industry

Australia to Close Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme on June 30 Bloomberg By Jason Scott – Feb 27, 2012 Australia’s Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme, which has provided more than A$320 million in incentives for households to switch to more energy-efficient hot-water systems, will close June 30, the parliamentary secretary for Climate Change and
Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, said today in a statement.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-28/australia-to-close-renewable-energy-bonus-scheme-on-june-30.html

Solar scheme axed to meet budget: Greens, THE AUSTRALIAN  AAP February 29, 2012  THE Australian Greens have accused the Gillard government of closing a household solar rebate scheme to help it deliver a surplus in the May
budget.

The renewable energy bonus scheme, which provided a $1000 rebate for a solar hot water system and $600 for a heat pump, was closed abruptly late yesterday.

While the scheme closes at the end of June, only those who had paid a deposit by yesterday were now eligible for the rebate.

The industry had hoped the scheme would be extended, after the government allocated $24.5 million towards it in budget forward estimates for 2012/13.

Greens Senator Christine Milne accused the government of cutting costs so it could achieve its promised budget surplus. It was “a ridiculous idea” that in order to meet a political imperative, the government was jeopardising local manufacturers who were building export markets in the new low carbon economy.

Senator Milne said the decision would put enormous pressure on manufacturers such as Rheem, which employed about 1200 people around Australia. “They are already under pressure because of the high Australian
dollar,” she told reporters in Canberra. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/solar-scheme-axed-to-meet-budget-greens/story-fn3dxity-1226285021321

February 29, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics