In the last days of the 2014 Victorian election campaign, The Greens are sending a clear signal that renewable energy is a policy priority. Whether it’s the Labor party or Coalition who forms government, renewable energy will be squarely on the agenda.

Visiting the super-marginal seat of Ripon earlier this week, Greens leader Greg Barber MLC said strong support for wind farms in western Victoria will lead to a push for greater investment in renewables.

There are 682 wind turbines already approved across western Victoria. The construction of new wind farms would be an economic windfall for the region which is struggling with high unemployment.

With uncertainty form the Abbott government’s attacks on the national Renewable Energy Target, western Victoria, and indeed the state, desperately needs a policy to build wind farms.

Under Greg Barber’s leadership, the Victorian Greens have endorsed our call for a Victorian Renewable Energy Target. The party is also committed to repealing the full suite of anti-wind farm laws introduced by the Coalition government.

Just over a week ago, the Victorian Labor leader Daniel Andrews appeared at the Challicum Hills wind farm in Ararat with a commitment to remove the worst aspects of the Coalition’s anti-wind farm laws. The opposition is yet to reveal its position on a VRET, yet Labor candidates for the super-marginal seat of Ripon, Daniel McGlone, and marginal South Barwon, Andy Richards, have expressed personal support for the measure.

While Yes 2 Renewables welcomed the Labor party’s wind energy policy, Mr Barber believes the opposition could do more to support renewable energy.

The Greens leader sighted the lack of a Victorian Renewable Energy Target, as a key issue yet to be tackled by the opposition.

With only a few days left before polling day, time is running out for Labor and the Coalition to strengthen their renewable energy credentials.

TAKE ACTION:

• Sign our petition calling on opposition leader Daniel Andrews and Denis Napthine to set a Victorian Renewable Energy Target.
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