A done deal? Claire, Solar Citizens

‘‘…that’s what this has got to be all about – keeping power prices down and protecting jobs,” Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Sydney Morning Herald, May 4*

We couldn’t agree more. That’s why it’s so hard to believe our Government has ripped apart the very policy that can deliver lower electricity prices and tens of thousands of Aussie solar and renewables jobs.

It’s been a long time coming, but today the Government and the Opposition have landed on the same number in a proposed deal that will dramatically slash our Renewable Energy Target from 41,000 to 33,000 gigawatt-hours – a move that will cost thousands of jobs, millions in investment and lock in more expensive power for all Australians.

Can you call your local MP right now to say this deal is just not good enough and find out if they support this drastic cut to the Renewable Energy Target? Click here to find your MP’s number and brush up on some talking points.

I know your blood is boiling, mine is too. But the fight is by no means over. I firmly believe that Australia’s passion for solar is just heating up. Already close to 1.4 million households have solar (that’s at least 2 million voters) and many more are making the switch every week. Australians are sick of being held hostage by the big power companies. And here’s the kicker – our politicians know it.

So why consider a deal that flies in the face of what the majority of Australians want? Two words – vested interests. The Abbott Government is under the influence of big power companies who see renewables as a threat. They’ve dug their heels in against popular opinion, and held the ALP and the renewables industry to ransom by creating investment uncertainty that has dragged on and on and on.

The good news is we’re already bringing together Australia’s solar owners and supporters behind our Stand Up For Solar plan, and together, we’re building a force capable of setting solar back on track.

Can you call your MP today to let them know this cut to the Target is not good enough and ask if they’ll Stand Up For Solar?

If it were up to the Abbott Government, everything would have been on the chopping block, including rooftop solar. If Solar Citizens like you had not tirelessly signed petitions, sent letters, met with MPs and rallied in the streets, not only would rooftop solar still be at risk, the entire Target could have been scrapped. Thanks to you, at this point, rooftop solar is safe.

There’s no doubt that today’s developments are a massive setback, but governments can only stymie progress against the will of the people for so long.

This is a key moment to let your MP know that taking renewables backwards is a vote loser. Can you call your MP today to let them know this cut to the Target is a big mistake and ask them to do the right thing and Stand Up For Solar?

For a sensible solar future,

Claire O’Rourke, National Director, Solar Citizens

*http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bill-shorten-signals-labor-willing-to-compromise-on-renewable-energy-target-20150504-1mz51v.html

Solar Citizens
http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/

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Solar Citizens is an independent community-based organisation bringing together millions of solar owners and supporters to protect and grow solar in Australia. You can keep up with Solar Citizens on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

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