PETER DUTTON BACKS LOCAL SAVE OUR SOLAR CAMPAIGN
Federal Member for Dickson, Peter Dutton, is backing a local community campaign to Save Our Solar panel industry from collapse.
Small businesses are shedding contracts, jobs are being lost, and the environment will be worse off after the Rudd Government‟s imposition of a $100,000 means test on the solar panel rebate scheme.
Peter Dutton said the $8000 rebate was vital in helping many people to install solar power in their homes. The solar rebate was a world leading initiative introduced by the Howard Government.
“But Mr Rudd and Mr Garrett used their very first Budget to place an enormous cost burden on households wanting to take part in the solar scheme,” Peter Dutton said.
“This was a broken promise and the height of hypocrisy from a party that used the environment in the lead up to last year‟s election. “The Coalition is fighting Labor‟s means test and will seek to have the decision reversed through special legislation in Parliament. “I will take the fight to Canberra to support local home owners installing solar in their homes regain access to the $8,000 solar panel rebate.”
Peter Dutton said solar panel systems typically cost between $10,000 and $40,000 depending on the size of the unit so the rebate was an extremely important incentive for most households.
“Since the means test was imposed at midnight on Budget night most solar panel companies have reported losing at least two-thirds of their contracts,” Peter Dutton said.
“Millions of dollars in business has been lost. Staff have been laid off and there are few new customers signing up for solar panels.
“Ultimately it is the environment that will be the big loser as a result of this disastrous decision with tonnes more greenhouse emissions to be pumped into the atmosphere. “Residents in Dickson are now effectively being discouraged from reducing their emissions.
“I urge local residents to contact Mr Rudd and Mr Garrett and ask them why they are now sending the solar industry backwards after using it for political benefit before the election.”
Kevin Rudd contact details:
Phone: 02 6277 7700 Fax: 02 6273 4100
Email: kevin.rudd.mp@aph.gov.au
Peter Garrett contact details:
Phone: 02 6277 7640 Fax: 02 6273 6101
Email: peter.garrett.mp@aph.gov.au
