Businesses chip in with $38m: It is understood ASCC will combine a $15 million climate change grant with $38 million in funding from business and industry partners – including Origin Energy, BP Solar, ANZ and the South Australian Housing Trust – to create solar initiatives, more effective pricing, energy efficiency and "green" homes.
ASCC to install solar panels and smart meters: The consortium plans to install 1700 solar panels in homes and commercial businesses and 7000 smart meters to measure power use – allowing energy companies to monitor consumer trends and adapt packages to customer needs.
Homeowners could save $200 a year on power bills: ASCC plans to offer home builders subsidies to install solar panels and hot water systems. Existing homeowners will be offered retro-fit subsidies. The consortium estimates homeowners will be able to save up to $200 a year on power bills if they take advantage of energy efficiency options.
PM spruiks policies in marginal electorates: The Prime Minister has been in Adelaide since Monday meeting voters in the seats of Makin (where the Liberals have a 1 per cent margin), Wakefield (0.7 per cent) and Kingston (0.1 per cent) – three of the country’s most marginal electorates – to road-test election policies.
Beazley pounds Govt on petrol prices, IR: Kim Beazley has also been on the hustings in Adelaide since Monday night. He said on 29 August that key issues affecting voters in the mortgage-belt electorates would include rising interest rates, petrol prices and the Government’s new industrial relations laws.
Marginal electorates key to election result: "I’m here in Adelaide and so is the Prime Minister, and that is basically because what happens in Wakefield, Kingston and Makin will largely determine the outcome of the next election," the Labor leader said.
The Australian, 30/8/2006, p.4