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18 May
2008
Media Release
Immediate Release 18 May 2008
OUR ENVIRONMENT REDUCED TO A BATTLE BETWEEN RICH AND POOR
The Federal Budget slapped a means test on the successful $8000 solar rebate in Tuesday night’s budget.
How can you put a means test on the environment?
According
to Government numbers, it is estimated that this will reduce the uptake
of solar panels on Australian homes by 60%, with an estimated 1,000
solar panel orders already cancelled since the decision was announced
last Tuesday.
“Solar panels aren’t cheap and they do need a
rebate, however, slapping on a means test (household income of
$100,000) is the wrong approach and it will damage the industry”, says
Adrian Ferraretto, Managing Director of Solar Shop Australia.
“The
best approach is to reduce the rebate from $8,000 to $5,000 without a
means test. This will enable an extra 4,000 homes to install solar
panels every year and it won’t cost the Government an extra dollar.
I
understand that the $8000 rebate may have been unsustainable, but a
means test is not the way to go. The fact that 1,000 people have
already cancelled their orders shows that the means test will severely
damage our industry.” according to Mr Ferraretto.
1,000 cancellations translate to an extra 44,000 Tonnes of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere and that’s only after one week.
Our
message to Minister Garrett is one of thanks for continuing to allocate
funds to the solar panel rebate. However turning this into a debate of
rich versus poor will have serious consequences for the environment and
future generations.”
Ends
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