Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Xenophon for his question. I start by reminding him and the chamber that this government has invested more in renewable energy than any government in Australia’s history and we have now added to that with the budget announcement of the renewable energy fund. In relation to the specific question that Senator Xenophon asked—and I have made this public previously when I have been asked this in the media—I want to first make clear that Commonwealth assistance for solar panels is not classed as income for the purpose of social security assessments. We provide assistance through our solar credits regime under the renewable energy target that will not affect people’s pensions and is not required to be reported to Centrelink.