Christine Milne: Will the Government commit to the Renewable Energy Target?

Senator MILNE (Tasmania-Leader of the Australian Greens) (14:20): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Senator Cormann. Notwithstanding the government's review of the Renewable Energy Target, will the government commit to retaining both the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, and will the government commit to keeping them separate and not rolling them together?

Senator CORMANN (Western Australia-Minister for Finance) (14:20): The whole point of having a review is to have a review. The last thing I would want to do here today is pre-empt what the review might come back with in terms of its findings, its conclusions and its recommendations. That is really all I can do to help you in response to that question.

Senator MILNE (Tasmania-Leader of the Australian Greens) (14:21): Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. That level of uncertainty will be noted in the community, of course. Will the minister now say whether the government will rule out decreasing the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target from 41gigawatt hours in 2020? Yes or no.

Senator CORMANN (Western Australia-Minister for Finance) (14:21): I do not really have anything to add to my first answer.

Senator MILNE (Tasmania-Leader of the Australian Greens) (14:21): Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Will the government rule out decreasing, diminishing, capping or abolishing the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme?

Senator CORMANN (Western Australia-Minister for Finance) (14:22): I refer Senator Milne, respectfully, to my first answer.

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