Senate debates

Wednesday, 24 February 2010

Renewable Energy Target Legislation

3:44 pm

Photo of Guy BarnettGuy Barnett (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Chairman of the Scrutiny of Government Waste Committee) Share this | | Hansard source

by leave—I move the motion, as amended, standing in my name:

That the Senate—

(a)
notes that:
(i)
major flaws in the design of the Federal Government’s renewable energy target legislation have led to a dramatic drop in the price of renewable energy certificates and stalled investment in the renewable energy sector,
(ii)
the Federal Government was warned of these flaws by industry and the Opposition parties but chose to ignore these warnings, and
(iii)
the Federal Government’s failure to act is now threatening the financial viability of major renewable energy projects such as the Musselroe Bay Wind Farm project in north-east Tasmania; and
(b)
condemns the Government accordingly.

3:45 pm

Photo of Kerry O'BrienKerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

by leave—I will make a short statement. The government opposes this motion. We recognise that Senator Barnett, with the support of the opposition and the Greens, has a majority in the chamber for the motion. We will not call a division.

Question agreed to.