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As part of the “first step” to a wider agreement, the Greens discussed amendments to its plan to lift and extend the Renewable Energy Target. The Greens bill, already before the lower house, would lift clean electricity supply to 55,500 gigawatt-hours a year by 2030, up from the current 33,000 GW-hours goal that ends in 2020.
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Similarly, they said the two parties could work together to ensure the small-scale renewable energy scheme that supports rooftop solar panels is extended.
Other areas the Greens sought to discuss with Labor included a mechanism for the orderly closure of coal-fired power stations, and possible support for the ALP’s emission intensity scheme although it wasn’t their top option.
They also sought cooperation to strengthen air-pollution standards on coal-fired power plants, a “transition fund” for coal communities, and a legislated storage target to help the power grid absorb more renewable energy.
Mr Butler said Labor’s position on climate change had been clear for some time, regardless of the Greens’ overtures, with a new draft platform being developed ahead of the national ALP conference in Adelaide on December 16-18.
“We listen to the views of all parties and experts in developing policy, but Labor policy is determined by Labor,” Mr Butler said.
He said a Labor return to office would “remove the energy policy chaos that has characterised the last five years of Liberal government and deliver 50 per cent renewables by 2030”.
Renewable energy could be a key issue in next year’s federal election.Credit:Bloomberg
Senator Di Natale expressed frustration over the stance taken by the ALP.
“You have to wonder: if the Labor Party under Bill Shorten can’t even bring themselves to come on board with the need to increase the RET – which everyone serious agrees is the bare minimum that needs to be done from a policy perspective – what exactly are they willing to do?” Senator Di Natale said.
“It’s critical that Bill Shorten doesn’t make the same mistake that Kevin Rudd made and refuse to engage with the Greens on climate change for political reasons,” he said
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