Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I believe that rural and regional Australia holds the key to renewable energy. In my electorate of Indi, individuals, communities and businesses are leading the way by installing solar and other renewable energy systems. Fifteen per cent of households in Indi are already running on solar power.

In the past week, 54 of my constituents have contacted me to express their concern about the future of the renewable energy target—that it may be reduced or abolished. Solar and non-solar households have all voiced their support for this bipartisan policy that has already provided overwhelming environmental and economic benefits.

The renewable energy target is important for business and jobs. For example, Bobbi McKibbin from Anything Solar in Wodonga, Laura and Allister Neely from Elect Solar in Wangaratta and Cameron Walker from KDEC in Albury-Wodonga have told me the target is working, and any reduction will leave many businesses stranded, with little hope of recouping their investment.

The Hon. Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, said he would like to hear the community response to the Warburton review. I warmly invite the minister to visit Indi so he can hear just how passionate people are about the renewable energy target and the good it has done—people like Matthew Charles-Jones and the wonderful community group Totally Renewable Yackandandah— (Time expired)

See this speech in context