Renewables Board in Limbo as Turnbull Continues Abbott Policies

Published Thursday, 25 February, 2016 at 05:53 PM

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has been left without a board as a result of neglect by the Federal Government.

Queensland’s Energy Minister Mark Bailey said today that ARENA is a key partner in renewable energy.

“They are stripping ARENA of corporate and commercial knowledge in preparation for its abolition.

“This sends a very negative message to the renewable energy industry and is contributing to the investment strike in large scale renewables.

“Large projects are not being financed since the election of Tony Abbott, and this continues under Prime Minister Turnbull.

“Many thought that Prime Minister Turnbull would be a supporter of the renewable energy sector.

“In 2010 as Opposition leader he launched the Beyond Zero Emissions Plan for a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy in Australia in 2010.

“When Tony Abbott was elected he called Direct Action “a “fig leaf” of a climate policy.

“Six months after Prime Minister Turnbull arrived and we can safely say nothing has changed from the Federal Government – and in fact things are worse than they were under Tony Abbott.

“The “fig leaf” of Direct Action remains our only climate policy and climate scientists are being sacked from the CSIRO; the legislation to scrap ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation has not been withdrawn.”

Mr Bailey said the lack of renewable energy projects is not because of lack of project proposals.

“There are projects right across Queensland ready to go. Solar farms, wind farms and biogas plants are ready for investment,” he said.

“There is one Government that is injecting confidence into the market and it is the Palaszczuk Government. Our Solar 60 auction and Ergon 150MW expression of interest are about the only things happening in the sector, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from the private sector.

“What we need now is for the Turnbull Government to start walking the walk rather than just talking the talk.”

ENDS

Media Contacts:        Minister Bailey            Tim Shipstone             3719 7321

                                                                  Amy Hunter                3719 7324