Victorian Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio Victorian Minister for Energy hosted an energy efficiency roundtable on Thursday March 12, as the Andrews government gears up to reshape state energy policy. Victorians have high hopes the Labor government will throw its weight behind … Continue reading Vic Labor govt prepares to reshape state energy policy
Victoria’s renewable energy sector is on the ropes. Despite the welcome commitment of Victorian Labor to repeal the previous state government’s anti-wind farm laws, the Abbott government is retarding the sector with its persistent efforts to weaken the national Renewable Energy Target. … Continue reading Time for Victorian govt leadership on renewables
Liberal candidate for the hotly-contested seat of Macedon, Donna Petrovich, has shifted her position on wind energy as a result of a community campaign. The move could signal a shift on wind energy policy from the Napthine government. Ms Petrovich has … Continue reading PollieWatch: Liberal candidate for Macedon flags exemption for community wind farms
Renewable energy is a mainstream election issue in the hotly-contested seat of Macedon. Anti-wind farm laws introduced by the Coaltion government in 2011 have hit the Macedon Ranges hard. A large-scale blanket ban on wind farms now cuts across the electorate. The anti-wind farm … Continue reading Voices of Macedon: Debunking the doubters
Friends of the Earth today hand delivered a submission to the Victorian Red Tape Commissioner calling for the Napthine government’s anti-wind farm laws to be investigated. The Coalition introduced the world’s worst anti-wind farm laws in 2011. The laws ban … Continue reading Red Tape Commissioner urged to investigate Napthine govt anti-wind laws
The Victorian Coalition Government has today released its energy policy document, Victoria’s Energy Statement. The plan has drawn criticism from renewable energy advocates at Friends of the Earth. The government’s plan takes a “business as usual” approach that fails Victorians. The plan alludes to greater … Continue reading Napthine govt energy statement a missed opportunity for Victoria
Renewable energy is omitted from the Napthine government’s ’21st Century’ jobs plan released today. The Napthine government’s Victorian Jobs in the 21st Century policy has been released a day after the Labor party opposition’s jobs plan identified renewable energy as a growth sector. Renewable … Continue reading Renewable energy jobs missing from Napthine govt ‘jobs plan’
The Napthine government is “missing in action” as the Victorian Labor opposition identifies renewable energy as a key growth sector for the state. Labor’s Back to Work policy released today commits the party to “Establish a $200 million Future Industries Fund to drive the six high-growth … Continue reading Napthine govt MIA as Andrews opposition identify renewable energy as key growth sector
A candidates forum held in Melbourne last night saw two Victorian Labor shadow ministers in the hot seat: Lily D’Ambrosio the Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources, and Lisa Neville, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change.
The Victorian Labor shadow ministers reaffirmed the party is ‘in the business of growing renewable energy’ and didn’t rule out adopting a Victorian Renewable Energy Target.
The Labor restated its commitment to restoring the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) and abolish the anti-wind farm laws, at the forum, and pledged to release details of its highly-anticipated renewable energy strategy before polling day.
The audience was eager for assurances on climate policy, namely the establishment of an Renewable Energy Target for the state. The shadow ministers responded that Labor was open to a Renewable Energy Target but emphasised that federal constitutional laws were an obstacle. This claim to a “constitutional problem” was received as a weak qualification, since SA and ACT both have successful RETs in place.
Questions about the Renewable Energy Target from the audience were specific and demanding: “What will the target be and when will it be set?” D’Ambrosio and Neville explained that due to federal constitutional laws, a state scheme would not be able to bind corporations. D’Ambrosio however, did assert that if the Victorian Labor party was elected they could “find a way around [the laws].” Continue reading “Candidates Forum: ‘we’re in the business of growing renewable energy’, says Vic Labor”
Reports the Abbott government are seeking to “axe” the Renewable Energy Target puts a sharper focus on state government plans for renewable energy. With a Victorian state election on the horizon, voters want to know what plans the major parties have to secure renewable energy jobs and investment.
A Renewable Energy & Jobs Forum in Portland on Sunday August 24 will become a crisis meeting since the Abbott government announced its’ intentions for the national Renewable Energy Target.
The Forum, presented by Friends of the Earth’s Yes 2 Renewables project, the Australian Wind Alliance and local businesses, will allow the political parties to set out their plans to secure jobs and investment in the renewable energy sector.
Former Liberal leader John Hewson is the keynote speaker. Victorian shadow energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio and Greens Leader Greg Barber will attend. Victorian Premier Denis Napthine and Energy Minister Russell Northe have been invited to the event. Stand by for more speaking announcements. Continue reading “Sharper focus on state renewables policies as Abbott plans to “axe” the RET”
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