[Greens-Media] Hardship package no solution to solar bonus breach of faith

[John Kaye]

Hardship package no solution to solar bonus breach of faith
 
Media release: 24 May 2011
 
The NSW government's shoddy attempt to reduce the political fallout from its plans to cut the Solar Bonus Scheme will do nothing to repair the damage to the industry and the majority of the 110,000 participating households, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "Premier Barry O'Farrell's hardship package will only heighten the uncertainty for an industry that is already struggling. 
 
"The changes are still retrospective, grossly unfair and a spectacular breach of faith. They will still leave the industry and the 5,400 jobs it provides without a future. They will still not solve the fundamental problem with the scheme.
 
"Unless the electricity retailers are forced to pay the full customer rate for all the solar generated electricity they receive, the scheme will always be on the point of bankruptcy.
 
"Mr O'Farrell could dig himself out of the political quagmire he has landed himself in.
 
"We could have legislation through both houses by the end of the week and the nightmare for the Coalition, solar households and the industry could be over.
 
"All the Premier needs to do is introduce legislation that maintains the 60 cents tariff for existing consumers, provides a retail parity tariff for all future consumers and requires the retailers to pay at the same rate at which they sell electricity.
 
"While the electricity supply industry argues that they would seek to pass the costs on to consumers, it is clear that the independent pricing regulator would not let this happen.
 
"IPART itself suggested that the Government could 'require retailers to transfer some of the financial benefit they receive under the scheme'.
 
"The regulator agrees with the solar industry and the Greens that the retailers' free ride should come to an end. They should pay for the energy they receive and shoulder a fair share of the burden of the transition to a clean energy future," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455