Making our energy system fairer, cheaper and cleaner

Our electricity system is in bad shape. Power bills have skyrocketed in recent years, mainly because of unnecessary investment in new poles and wires.

More than one million Australians have invested in solar panels on their homes and businesses, but many of them aren't being paid fairly for the clean power they produce.

Meanwhile, huge opportunities to save energy and reduce ‘peak' electricity demand have been ignored.

The Australian Greens will establish a new federal government agency that will lower electricity bills, save energy and cut the pollution driving global warming.

Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said the Energy Savings Agency will make Australia’s energy system fairer, cheaper and cleaner.

“The Federal and State Governments have failed to prevent unnecessary spending on new electricity poles and wires,” Senator Milne said.

 Martin Ferguson's departure should be good news for James Price Point, the Barrier Reef and renewable energy.

 Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne has welcomed Martin Ferguson's decision to resign from cabinet.

 "The fossil fuel industry has never had a greater advocate in the federal cabinet than Martin Ferguson." Christine Milne said.

 "His departure offers Labor the opportunity to embrace the renewable energy age and fix the mining tax.

Speech to the Second Australian Summer Study on Energy Efficiency and Decentralised Energy

Introduction

I begin by acknowledging the people of the Eora Nation, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their elders past and present.

So the question before us is: Will 2013 be the tipping point for energy efficiency and decentralised energy?

The Coalition's push to freeze the $10 billion renewable energy fund that was delivered by the Greens is another demonstration of Tony Abbott's dangerous and backwards views that will make life harder for Australians, the Australian Greens said today.

"Attacking renewable energy while supporting coal is a sure fire way to undermine job security as the world moves ever faster to a clean energy future." Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne said.

Senate Standing Committee on Economics
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Treasury Portfolio
Supplementary Budget Estimates
17 October - 18 October 2012
Question: SBT 15

Senator LUDLAM asked:

Senator LUDLAM:... I understand the CEFC has met with the Climate Change Authority as part of the review of the renewable energy target and ARENA on how the bodies can work in tandem, which is good.What can you tell us about how the CEFC and ARENA will work together?

Senate Standing Committee on Economics
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Treasury Portfolio
Supplementary Budget Estimates
17 October - 18 October 2012
Question: SBT 14
Topic: Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

Hansard Page: pg 65-66, Thursday 18 October 2012

Senator LUDLAM asked:

Senator LUDLAM: Could we get a few moments with somebody representing the Clean Energy Finance Corporation?

CHAIR: Sure.