Frydenberg says clean power coming
The new Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia - Josh Frydenberg - says renewable energy will be a “key part” of the Federal Government's energy platform.
While former prime minister Tony Abbott was famously opposed the renewable sector, describing wind farms as “visually awful” among other things, the sector is hopeful the Government will take a more sympathetic view under new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
But for now, he will retain the Government's existing climate change policies.
Even so, Mr Frydenberg has told reporters this week that “clearly renewable energy is a key part of our energy platform”.
“I think wind farms, I think solar, I think they all have a role to play,” he told the ABC.
“We as a Coalition Government have entered into a bipartisan agreement with the Labor Party, on a 23.5 per cent renewable energy target by 2020, this will see a doubling of large scale renewable energy
“I’m saying that we have a commitment to renewable energy, that existed under the Abbott government and will exist under the Turnbull Government, and my good friend and colleague Greg Hunt will be driving that agenda in many respects.
“When you talk about coal, that's a very important part of our energy mix, both here at home as well as overseas and will continue to be because it creates thousands of jobs and is an important source of electricity for much of the developing world.
“I don't see these issues as mutually exclusive.”
Darren Gladman, the policy manager for the Clean Energy Council, said the hint of a change was “extremely encouraging” for the industry that has been hit hard by low investment due to Government scepticism.
“It is no secret that the last couple of years were both challenging and frustrating for the renewable energy industry under former prime minister Tony Abbott,” he said in a statement.
“The renewable energy industry is looking forward to working with Minister Frydenberg, as well as continuing to build on our relationship with Environment Minister Greg Hunt, who clearly recognises the potential of technologies like solar, wind, bio-energy and energy efficiency to create a strong platform for Australia's future prosperity.
“Australia has some of the best renewable energy resources in the world, and we believe the new Government can see the job and investment benefits of these newer forms of energy for rural and regional areas of the country.”
There is no word yet on the plan to establish a wind farm commissioner to deal with complaints about the renewable energy turbines.