| Executives tackle Garrett on solar issue |
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| Written by AAP | |||||||||||
| Monday, 02 June 2008 | |||||||||||
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Business Climate International provides you with the following article on Climate Change, originally published on the website Business Spectator.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has declared the means test on solar panels is here to stay as pressure mounts for a post-budget backdown. "How about removing the means-testing regime on household solar?" the delegate asked Mr Garrett, who was chairing the session. "And, instead, actually increasing the rebate so that every household, rich, poor, interested, disinterested, can convert to solar?" Mr Garrett waited for the applause to die down before responding. "I must admit I'm a little surprised to see business enthusiastically supporting the increase of a rebate of this size," he said. After the session, Mr Garrett was asked if the means test was here to stay. "Yes, that's right," he told AAP. "This is the right decision, given that the demand for this program was so strong." Mr Garrett played downs concerns from some sections of the solar industry that the means test would ruin businesses and force job losses. "I'm also confident that the industry, over time, will be able to continue on a sustainable path. It's important that it does," he said. There had been "a problem" with the formerly non-means tested rebate program - it was too popular and would soon be fully subscribed. The means test would ensure the rebate went to those who most needed it. "We've addressed a problem with the existing program," he said. Mr Garrett told the conference the Rudd government had brought forward spending on the solar rebate because it was so popular. He said $500 million would be invested to boost the solar industry, including low-interest "green loans" to households, solar programs for schools and an expanded Solar Cities project.  Quote this article on your site | Views: 556
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