Labor rules out making changes to scale down Renewable Energy Target
Labor has ruled out negotiating with the Federal Government to scale back the large-scale Renewable Energy Target (RET).
The Government is believed to be searching for a bipartisan compromise to scale back the green scheme, which was put in place by the Howard Government.
It was tweaked in 2010 to ensure that 20 per cent of Australia's power would be generated by renewable resources by 2020.
It effectively gives industry support to renewables at the expense of established fossil fuel electricity generators.
A Government-commissioned review last month recommended closing the large scheme to new entrants and shutting it by 2030, or that it be ditched with the renewable sector limited to a 50 per cent share of new growth in electricity demand.
The Government is yet to reveal its position on the review but it is understood to be looking for a middle ground.
"It's a good document, we are carefully considering that document," Prime Minister Tony Abbott said.
"We are weighing the public response to that document and we will have more to say about the renewable energy targets in a few weeks' time."
The Australian Solar Council is not waiting - it has already held three "save solar" meetings in marginal electorates.
The most recent meeting was held in the Liberal held seat of Barton in southern Sydney, which is held by just 489 votes.
Labor leader Bill Shorten used the opportunity to hose down talk that he would accept any negative change to the RET.
He was asked by one of the 200 audience members to promise that he would not negotiate down from what the current position is.
"We're not about to abandon all the principles and the details of what you just said," Mr Shorten said.
"We'll talk to the Government but not on the basis that they want.
"The Government can say what it wants. We know what we think.
"We'll hear what they have to say, but we are not for turning on the issue of renewable energy."
The Palmer United Party also reiterated its position that it did not support any change to the scheme.
Local installers see 'short term' boost
In South Sydney, former cancer surgeon and traditionally conservative voter Christopher Magarey has just had solar panels installed on his roof.
He is not doing it for economic reasons - he is hoping to build a better future for his four grandchildren.
"When you've got young grandchildren it really comes home to you - what's their future?" he said.
"Because if we keep elevating carbon dioxide we have global warming and the oceans rise and there is going to be massive displacement of populations, wars, disruptions of agriculture, starvation - all this is promised to us by the scientists."
He now considers himself a "swinging voter".
"I really don't know who I can vote for," he said.
"But certainly I would vote for whichever party would be the strongest in terms of encouraging us to use renewable energy."
Managing director of local installer Australia Wide Solar Richard Keetley has been installing panels for more than two decades.
He said if subsidies were removed, it would add up to $4,000 to the cost of a system.
"A typical system would cost for a house around $6,000 to $7,000," he said.
"Without the renewable energy target it would add $3,000 to $4,000 to the cost of that system."
He was asked why the renewable sector deserved subsidies.
"All new technologies and in particular power generation has been subsidised in its infancy and for very good reasons," he said.
"The coal industry, other forms of power generation have been supported in their infancy and renewable energy is still in its infancy."
