House debates Questions without Notice
Renewable Energy
Peter Garrett Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Heritage
2:44 pm
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Does the minister recall when he was a backbencher supporting a doubling of the solar power rebate? Is the minister aware that Labor has today announced a doubling of the solar power rebate, Labor’s solar home power plan? Does the minister agree with Labor? Does the minister still agree with himself?
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
The member in his question is referring of course to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage report on sustainable cities. It is a very good report and I commend it to the honourable members on both sides. My understanding of the Labor Party’s announcement today is that it is not to double the rebate at all but rather to extend it. I believe it is still a maximum of $4,000 per household. If that is the case then they have not doubled it at all. It is exactly the same rebate. The rebate is currently—
Peter Garrett Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Heritage
Mr Garrett interjecting
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
There he is. The member for Kingsford Smith does not even know what his policy is. The rebate is $4 a watt up to a maximum of $4,000.
Peter Garrett Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Heritage
Mr Garrett interjecting
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
Is the maximum $4,000 or not?
Peter Garrett Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Heritage
It’s pretty straightforward.
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
It is. He does not know. Mr Speaker, I cannot help the member for Kingsford Smith. He does not know what his policy is. If he cannot tell us what it is then I am afraid I cannot enlighten him.