RET RESPONSIBLE FOR LOWER POWER BILLS

Last night in Senate Estimates the Energy Department refuted the bizarre claim by Resources Minister, Matt Canavan that “the Renewable Energy Target (RET)… has proved to be one of the worst policies adopted in this country, maybe the world.”

 

Under questioning from Senator Keneally, Energy Deputy Secretary Rob Heferen confirmed the RET has fuelled renewables investment and driven down wholesale power prices.

 

When asked by Senator Keneally if wholesale power prices will be cheaper over coming years because of investment in renewables driven by the RET, Mr Heferen said, “Oh clearly, yes.”

 

Then Senator Keneally asked if “it would be fair to say the RET has exceeded in meeting the targets for which it was designed, and it is contributing to lower wholesale power price?”

 

“Yes” was Mr Heferen’s response.

 

Confirming the energy policy chaos we’ve all become accustomed to under the Liberals, Liberal Senator Ruston stated; “Obviously various Ministers have made comments in relation to this policy… Minister Canavan is entitled to his own opinion.” 

 

Any notion of a single coherent government policy has been thrown out the window as the Government continues to buckle to the demands of its extreme anti-renewables right wing.

 

The Liberals won’t even refute Minister Canavan’s unhinged attack on his own Government’s support for Labor’s RET, which is also the only policy which is bringing down power prices for Australian households and businesses.

 

Renewables and storage will continue to be the cheapest form of new energy investment; it will deliver cheaper power for Australians and bring down pollution.

 

The choice for Australians is clear – Labor is for a renewable energy future, and cheaper power bills. The unstable Coalition is for more expensive coal and higher power bills.