Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

I think that is somewhat of a long bow, with respect, to be suggesting that we could at this point in time give any indication about the costs, given that we have outlined that those costs are to be determined. I think also the senator is making an assumption about the nature and design of the rebate. That is an issue the broad parameters of which were announced by Minister Garrett at the time the government indicated it was closing the HIP. Obviously Minister Combet is working on the design of the REBS—the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme—and further details as to the parameters of that will be provided in the future. My recollection—and I will have to check my notes on that—is the start date was 1 June. Obviously, though, those matters are still to be considered in the design.