The Smart Energy Council is disappointed that the federal Opposition’s energy policy released today amounts to a full-throated attack on renewable energy.
“This is a recipe for higher prices, more blackouts and less control for Australian households,” Smart Energy Council CEO David McElrea said.
“After decades of climate wars, we had hoped the Coalition might finally abandon this ideological crusade and accept a technology that has already been embraced by millions of Australians.“
“More than 4.3 million Australian households have put solar on their roofs. That’s more than one in three households, and means millions of Australians go to sleep every night in a home with solar panels on the roof.”
“Australians are now embracing batteries as well. More than 500,000 batteries have been installed in just over a year under the Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program.”
The Coalition has also not committed to retaining the Cheaper Home Battery Program. The millions of Australians who want a battery deserve to know whether the LNP will junk this successful program.
“Our industry employs tens of thousands of Australians in our cities and regions, selling and installing great products at increasingly affordable prices.
“It should be bipartisan public policy that the cheapest and cleanest forms of energy are encouraged.
“Instead, we have the federal Opposition returning to the old energy wars and policies that would slow the rollout of renewable energy.
“The Smart Energy Council will engage on the policy, not the politics.
“We would be very happy to work with the Coalition, including the federal National Party, to explain the benefits of renewable energy and why solar and batteries have become so popular with so many Australians.
“Renewable energy isn’t an ideology. It is technology that millions of Australians are already choosing to put on their own homes.”
ENDS.
Media Contact: Tim Lamacraft, GM Media and Comms, media@smartenergy.org.au
