The Australian Greens say it's no surprise that a review led by a climate sceptic has trashed the Renewable Energy Target, saying both options the report presents will destroy renewable energy in Australia.
"I'm glad this dangerous and ignorant report is finally public, so everyone can see it for the climate denier drivel it is. The outcome was determined long ago," said Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne.
"It's now time to give the industry certainty by retaining and expanding the Renewable Energy Target.
Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Renewable Energy Target has been a major contributor to cutting pollution and energy costs, and must not be scaled down or abandoned.
"Tony Abbott wants to destroy jobs, destroy investment and make power more expensive for consumers all because he wants to protect the old coal-fired generators and gas companies," said Senator Milne.
"Tony Abbott's mates in the big end of town, in the coal industry in particular, can't cope with the competition from renewable energy.
Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne has today welcomed the Senate's agreement that members must be reappointed to the board of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
"After Clive Palmer excluded ARENA from his announcement, the Greens have worked with other crossbenchers to secure both the funding and the future of the organisation," said Senator Milne.
"I welcome the decision by Mr Muir and Mr Palmer to join the Greens and Labor in opposing the abolition of ARENA," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.
"However, it is extremely disappointing that Mr Palmer and Mr Muir will join Tony Abbott in voting to gut ARENA of $717 million over the next three years. I have serious concerns that ARENA won't be able to fund new innovation projects for renewable energy that we can export to the world.
The Greens have congratulated Alinta Energy for their decision to proceed with a feasibility study into a solar thermal power station with storage, in Port Augusta.
“This is a great step forward for South Australia and a win for the dedicated Port Augusta community who have been campaigning for a base-load solar thermal power station for years,” South Australian Greens Senator Penny Wright said.
“Solar thermal will keep jobs in Port Augusta, improve the health of the community and uniquely position the town for the future.
The Australian Greens say the aluminium industry is already heavily subsidised and must not be fully exempted from the Renewable Energy Target.
"The Renewable Energy Target is working to bring down pollution and power prices, but exempting the biggest polluting industries from the scheme would just totally undermine it," said Greens Leader Christine Milne.
"The point of the Renewable Energy Target is to see the whole economy move away from this unsustainable and unhealthy use of polluting fossil fuels.
The Australian Greens along with communities around Australia are celebrating the survival of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which Tony Abbott has now twice failed to abolish through the Parliament.
"The Senate won't stand for Tony Abbott's head-in-the-sand approach on global warming, and we're not afraid of a double dissolution election over renewable energy," said Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne.
"It's time for Mr Abbott to give up. The CEFC is an excellent institution that should stay.
Greens Leader Christine Milne will move in the Senate to defeat the government's plan to abolish investment in renewable energy and set up a double dissolution trigger.
"This crash or crash through Prime Minister is set to crash over his global warming denial," said Greens Leader Christine Milne.
The Greens have received advice from the Clerk of the Senate which indicates a first double dissolution trigger can be achieved before the new Senate takes its place on July 1 by bringing on a second vote on the repeal of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
As the Prime Minister continues his climate denial tour of the planet, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says he's only telling half the story.
"When Tony Abbott says Australia is open for business, jobs and prosperity, he means prosperity for his big-business mates. Tony Abbott's Australia is not open to the clever, 21st century jobs of the clean, low carbon economy," Senator Milne said.