Abbott would close the Clean Energy Finance Corp

Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).

In the wake of the federal budget reply, I have observed that an incoming Coalition government would probably shut down the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).

The CEFC is currently a legislated $10 billion fund, established by the Federal Government, dedicated to investing in clean energy.

Under its enabling legislation, its investment activities will be funded through a special appropriation of $2 billion to a special account every year for five years, commencing from 1 July 2013.

The CEFC's investment objectives are to catalyse and leverage an increased flow of funds for the commercialisation and deployment of Australian-based renewable energy, low emissions and energy efficiency technologies, thus preparing and positioning the Australian economy and industry for a carbon constrained world.

The CEFC leverages public and private sector capital and skills to meet public policy outcomes.

By working with private sector co-financiers, the CEFC aims to both leverage the total amount of funding available and to enhance the expertise and capacity of the financial sector to fund clean energy.

The CEFC will invest in organisations and projects using 'clean energy technologies' as well as manufacturing businesses that focus on producing the inputs required.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation Act 2012 excludes investment in technology for carbon capture and storage, nuclear technology or nuclear power.

The CEFC has been set up to make its investment decisions independently, based on rigorous commercial assessments.

The Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, said he would save up to $400 million by scrapping the CEFC scheme.

I wonder how much less industry would implement low emission technologies without the $10 billion seed investment funding that the CEFC framework could provide at a cost to the Government of less than $400 million.

The plan for the CEFC was to invest in organisations and projects using ‘clean energy technologies’ as well as manufacturing businesses that focus on producing the inputs required.

I suspect that the axing of the CEFC will undermine efforts to build a competitive low carbon economy.

This move has the potential to destabilise and deter significant market based investment in technology and infrastructure in the power generation sector and threaten Australia’s transition to a less carbon-dependent and more sustainable economy.

The loss of the CEFC is likely to destabilise clean-energy investment, severely limit new long-term projects and leave Australia’s economy exposed to future emissions restraints in a carbon-constrained global market.”

Mr Hunt recently mentioned that only three sectors of the current ‘departmental’ arrangements will remain:

·     National Greenhouse Energy and Reporting Scheme (NGER)

·     Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI)

·     Clean Energy Regulator (CER)

So the likes of the Climate Change Authority (CCA) other parts of the old Department of Climate Change and Eneryg Efficiency and possibly the Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) will be absorbed under other departments. 

Mr Hunt also indicated that simplification and lowering of measurement costs was also a high priority.  NGERs will be the reporting systems and other duplicate, state and also EEO would be simplified.

cuts to Qld energy sector red tape

I find it curious that the Qld State Government is using the introduction of the carbon tax as the justification for removing funding for renewable energy, gas and energy efficiency programs etc.....

....when the Federal opposition is adamant that it will remove the carbon tax:

Read the following statement from the Member for Caloundra:

Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark McArdle

Friday, March 08, 2013

Further cuts to Queensland energy sector red tape

The Newman Government continues to cut red tape from the State’s energy sector, including closing a program which forces businesses to report their electricity use to government.

Energy Minister Mark McArdle said the State Government was closing  the Queensland Gas Scheme and the Smart Energy Savings Program (SESP) and repealing standards for new coal-fired power stations.

“These schemes, introduced by the previous State Government, have largely achieved what they set out to do and are no longer required,” Mr McArdle said.

“The Queensland Gas Scheme requires electricity retailers to source 15 per cent of their electricity from Gas Fired Generators, to encourage investment in gas fired electricity generation and boost gas production across the state.

“The scheme has served its purpose, with nearly 20 per cent of electricity currently being sourced from gas generators.

“Since Carbon Pricing, introduced  in July 2012,  is achieving similar outcomes, now is an appropriate time to remove duplication and cease the Scheme.

The Smart Energy Savings Program (SESP), requiring businesses using a certain amount of electricity,  to report their energy use to government, will also be closed.

Mr McArdle said Queensland businesses should identify energy savings to boost their bottom lines and not be forced to report these savings to Government.

“This requirement was adding red tape for no reason and the Government will not undertake any compliance activity for outstanding obligations under the SESP.”

Mr McArdle said standards for new coal-fired power stations would be abolished as they had been replaced by the introduction of carbon pricing and  no additional environmental benefit would be achieved by continuing the policy.

“The repeal of these standards will strip away the administrative burden and complexity for investors. It will allow them to select  the most appropriate technology for their needs and brings Queensland into line with all other states and the Federal Government,” he said.

”Also, based on current demand,  it is unlikely there will be a need for an additional coal-fired base load generator in Queensland within the next decade.

The Department of Energy and Water Supply will provide guidance to participants as they transition out of the two closing schemes and help energy providers understand any changes as a result of the repeal of standards on new coal-fired power stations.”

[ENDS] 8 March, 2013

Divesting of Coal Fired Power

Divesting of Coal Fired Power

The Qld Government has withdrawn its financial support for the Cloncurry Photo Voltaic Solar Farm to achieve savings for the state’s taxpayers about $5.6 million.  In it Media statement, the Government noted that large-scale solar farms are proven technology & the Qld State Government believes it is up to the private sector to decide whether to invest in, build & operate such projects in Qld.

Should Premier Newman sell Stanwell Corporation & CS Energy to the private sector, for the same reasons that AGL has bought Loy Yang A in Victoria?

The purchase of Loy Yang A will make AGL the equal largest generator of electricity in the Australia.  Up until recently, AGL have pursued a strategy of developing the nation’s lowest carbon intensity in its energy assets, this purchase nearly triples its intensity.

Loy Yang A will act as a “cash cow” for the company, despite the introduction of a carbon price.  AGL propose to use the substantial cash flows to help fund its renewables investment, which it estimates at around $4-$5 billion to meet its share of the renewable energy target. It expects to meet 60-80% that capital cost itself. 

When one considers the transition from fossil fuels to renewables – taking the cash from an older asset like Stanwell & Tarong Power Stations & reinvesting it in renewable certainly makes sense.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Following is the Media Statement from the Qld State Government:

Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark McArdle

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Cloncurry Solar Farm closure

24 May 2012

Government withdraws its funding from Cloncurry Solar Farm

The Queensland Government today withdrew its financial support for the Cloncurry Solar Farm as part of its campaign to achieve savings for the state’s taxpayers.

Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle said the Cloncurry Solar Farm was at a very early stage and withdrawing from the project now would save Queenslanders about $5.6 million.

“These are savings which will benefit all Queenslanders rather than localised climate initiatives,” Mr McArdle said.

“The government’s withdrawal from the project now minimises the cost to taxpayers.

“I want to stress that the Queensland Government’s decision to exit the Cloncurry Solar Farm is not due to concerns about the proponent or their ability to deliver. This is about getting the state’s finances back on track.

“Large-scale solar farms are proven technology and it is up to the private sector to decide whether to invest in, build and operate such projects in Queensland.

“The government is working to establish a stronger renewable and alternative energy sector with a targeted focus on practical research and development of Queensland’s abundant renewable energy resources.

“We are also supporting Queensland businesses to access funding from Commonwealth programs to develop Queensland-based clean energy projects.”

Mr McArdle said the government had informed Ingenero Pty Ltd, which was named preferred tenderer in December 2011 to design, build and operate the 2.128 megawatt solar farm, and the Cloncurry Shire Council.

“The Queensland Government had an option in its contract with Ingenero to cancel the contract at any time for any reason. The government has chosen to exercise this option to save money for Queensland taxpayers.”

Mr McArdle said most of the funds would have been spent on the purchase of photovoltaic panels and racking, but these costs would be saved because the project was at such an early stage.

The government’s financial withdrawal from the solar farm will have no impact on the reliability of electricity supply in Cloncurry as the project’s main aim was to test the performance of a solar farm in north-west Queensland.

ENDS

McArdle's Charter [Water & Energy]

10 April 2012


The Honourable Mark McArdle MP
Minister for Energy and Water Supply
Level 13, Mineral House
41 George Street
BRISBANE QLD 4000



Dear Minister

Ministerial Deliverables

Congratulations on your success in the electorate of Caloundra and thank you for accepting my invitation to serve Queensland as the Minister for Energy and Water Supply.

Our electoral success was achieved with a strong cohesive CanDo team committed to real change, and your contribution to the team played a significant part. Queenslanders have voted for change, and it is critical that we respect the trust bestowed on us by delivering on our commitments to grow a four pillar economy, lower the cost of living by cutting waste, deliver better infrastructure and better planning, revitalise front line services for families, restore accountability in Government and work towards our goal of achieving 4% unemployment in six years.

For this reason, I am writing to each Minister outlining my expectations of the priority tasks to be achieved to deliver on our election commitments. You and your Department have a vital role to play in the reform program, as reflected in the following tasks for which I am requesting you to take responsibility.

I expect that at all times Ministers will demonstrate to the public the capabilities and behaviours that will define us as the Government we undertook to be – united, energetic, disciplined and ethical. I refer you to the Queensland Cabinet Handbook, the Queensland Ministerial Handbook, the Queensland Executive Council Handbook, the Queensland Parliamentary Procedures Handbook and the Queensland Legislation Handbook.

Contribution to the 100 Day Plan
The following are the specific tasks relevant to your portfolio which you need to achieve in the first 100 days of Government.
• Freeze or lower the standard domestic tariff (Tariff 11) to address soaring electricity bills as part of cost of living relief (to take effect from 1 July 2012) in consultation with the Treasurer (First 30 days).
• Act to put the cost of the carbon tax on electricity bills.
• Start the process to amalgamate bulk water entities as part of our Four Point Plan to Reduce Water Prices.


First Term Tasks
In addition to these early milestones, the following tasks within your area of ministerial responsibility are to be achieved within the first term of Government.
• Implement all LNP election policy commitments relevant to your portfolio.
• Identify wasteful expenditure that could be redirected to front line services.
• Work to create a strong future for Energy in Queensland with a stable, clear legislative framework for industry.
• Investigate and identify infrastructure requirements to ensure the further growth of the Energy and Water sector, and the continued provision of these services to Queenslanders.
• Alongside key stakeholders and the Department, work to develop and foster the creation of clean energy alternatives.
• Undertake discussions with the Federal Government and Federal Opposition about the negative impact that the Carbon Tax will have upon Queensland jobs and industry.
• Ensure the Department leads the way in ensuring the world’s best social and environmental performance.
• Develop and implement policies and initiatives that ensure departmental resources are principally engaged for frontline service delivery and to remove unnecessary red tape.
• Work with the electricity industry to deliver initiatives that incentivise customers to reduce electricity consumption and thereby lower their cost of living.
• Commence proper planning for Queensland’s future water needs and work to create a sustainable water supply that will cater for Queensland’s population increases and ensure this planning meets the needs of households, industry and agriculture.
• Hand back control of water distribution and retailing to local councils.
• Write off any non-performing water grid assets to reduce sharp price rises.
• Adopt a 40 year price path to repay the former Bligh Labor Government’s $7 billion water grid debt over the economic life of the assets.
• Rigorously ensure your Department is aware of our overarching plan to cut Government waste and inefficiency.
• Implement the LNP’s election commitment for sustainable public sector growth.
• Implement the LNP’s election commitment to reduce red tape.
• Continue to establish effective working relationships with stakeholders and other interest groups relevant to your portfolio areas.
• Deliver consolidation of bulk water entities.

Could you please consult with your Director-General to ensure these goals are understood by the Department and that systems are in place to monitor and report on progress towards their achievement, so that you are able to update Cabinet regularly. In this regard, the Department of Premier and Cabinet will be responsible for coordinating reports to Cabinet on progress, and will assist your Department with proposed reporting formats.

I intend to review this charter and your efforts to implement it regularly.





Finally, I congratulate you again on your appointment and I look forward to working closely with you as a Ministerial colleague as we implement our policies and achieve the goal of providing a CanDo Government to get Queensland back on track.

Yours sincerely





CAMPBELL NEWMAN
PREMIER OF QUEENSLAND

QLD, COAG & clean Energy

The Garnaut Climate Change Review—led by Professor Ross Garnaut—was first commissioned by Australia's Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments in 2007, to conduct an independent study of the impacts of climate change on the Australian economy.

The Review's Final Report was released on 30 September 2008. The Report recommended policy frameworks to improve the prospects for sustainable prosperity.

So the Qld Government has had plenty of time to commence a transition to a clean energy future....

This week, The Qld Premier Anna Bligh attended the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

The Premier wants to ensure Qld is looked after in any carbon pricing package. Ms Bligh said while a carbon tax would impact on Qld’s “carbon intensive economy”, she remained committed to supporting emissions reductions.

However the Qld Premier still want to ensure that Queensland gets the best possible deal out of this package.

When the Qld Premier met with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, this week, there were some very intense negotiations. The Premier is still looking for some sort of improvement.

I note that Qld (and other State Governments) have had plenty of opportunity to start a transition to cleaner energy generation.

Could somebody tell me why the QLD Government divested itself of wind assets in 2007?

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [Seminar next week, Perceptions, Setting a Price, CSG, Renewables]

Tied up in Green Tape?

If one attends ASBG QLD’s Environmental Management Seminar on Thursday 16 June 08:00-12:30, one will have the opportunity to find out the best way to stay out of trouble with the Environmental Regulator in Queensland.

One will also have the opportunity to discuss the issues that one faces with Environmental compliance.

Through its greentape reduction project, the Department of Environment and Resouce Management (DERM) is in the process of reviewing the licensing framework under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, with the aim of reducing the regulatory costs of environmental regulation while upholding environmental standards for the community.

The project is a response to business and government concerns that navigating the environmental regulatory framework has become increasingly difficult, making it harder to comply with regulatory requirements.

A discussion paper and regulatory assessment statement has been developed to provide an opportunity for interested parties to comment about the proposed initiatives. Written submissions are open until 1 July 2011.

Perception is reality

The Australian Sustainable Business Group (ASBG) is pursuing the development of businesses in Australia for a sustainable future. That is our core business.

ASBG achieves our objectives through weekly newsletters and by running training courses and seminars primarily focused on Environmental management. However, that is just the starting point.

ASBG needs your help. We (collectively) need to improve the general public’s perception of Australian Businesses.

Everyday Australian Businesses are labelled with the tag “polluters”. Australian businesses need position themselves to meet on going demands in a global market. This requires both economically and environmentally sustainable solutions.

ASBG needs some good news stories. Please share with us some case studies or even some of your marketing material.

What is your business doing to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions?

What is your water specific intake? (litres of water per commercial activity measure). How are you reducing or reprocessing your waste?

If you are going to the trouble of collecting data for the purposes of environmental compliance, then you need to make sure the data does not go to waste.

As individual businesses, as industries and as a business group, we have to get better at telling the general public about the things we are doing for a sustainable future.

We have to get better at telling politicians and bureaucrats about the impacts of the decisions they make are having on our respective businesses.

Setting a Price on Carbon

Last Sunday, on World Environment Day 45,000 Australians allegedly said ‘YES’ to setting a price on carbon.

The very next day a Galaxy Poll for the News Limited alleged that 58 per cent of people are opposed to the carbon tax. Their sample size of 500 people indicated that just 28 per cent are in favour, with 14 per cent uncommitted.

As you read this, politicians are in the process of negotiating what the carbon price will look like. Over the next 25 days, crucial details including the starting price and compensation measures will be decided.

Australian Businesses need to weigh into this debate.

ASBG has adopted a position calling for a relatively low starting price. Professor Garnaut is calling for $26/tonne. Some are lobbying for $10/tonne. The Federal Opposition want $0/tonne & a subsidy scheme instead. Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has alluded to a starting price of around $20/tonne.

Wayne Swan also pointed to modelling which suggests our renewables sector will experience dramatic growth under a carbon price – with the renewable electricity sector projected to be 600 per cent bigger in 2050 than it is today.

ASBG realise that a carbon price alone is not enough. A renewable energy target alone is not enough. If the carbon tax is brought in too low, it will kick start the coal seam gas industry in preference to wind, solar thermal & other renewable energy technologies.

CSG/LNG Compliance

DERM has released a CSG/LNG Compliance Plan 2011 for Coal Seam Gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) related compliance activities.

DERM hopes that publishing this compliance plan and advising both the community and industry of what can be expected in 2011, will fulfill its commitment to ensure compliance activities are carried out in a transparent manner.

Renewable Energy impost

A Coles supermarket has been asked by the local Municipal Authority, to use at least 50 per cent renewable energy for a development on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne Energy Institute recently released a report which indicates that the cost of renewable energy has been significantly overestimated by the Australian Government and industry.

A Swan Song for a clean energy future????

Yesterday Wayne Swan addressed the National Press Club outlining the Gillard Labor Government’s plan for a clean energy future.

Swanny attempted to paint a future which will see Australia's economy continue to grow and thrive with a price on pollution.

The Treasurer, Wayne Swan released the results of Treasury’s review of a $20/t carbon tax which he embellished at the National Press Club speech yesterday. He key comments include:

The first conclusion is this:

our economy will continue to grow solidly while making deep cuts in carbon pollution.

The modelling will show real national income growing strongly under a carbon price, at an average annual rate per person of around 1.1 per cent until 2050 instead of 1.2 per cent. This means a carbon price would only reduce annual growth in GNI per person by about one-tenth of 1 percentage point. Real national income per person would be 16 per cent higher than current levels by 2020, which is an increase of more than $8,000 in today's dollars.

By 2050 the increase is about 56 per cent, or more than $30,000.

The second conclusion is just as important:

employment continues to grow just as strongly after we put a price on pollution. Today I can say that the modelling shows aggregate employment is approximately the same with or without a carbon price. By 2020, national employment is projected to increase by 1.6 million jobs, while at the same time growth in domestically-produced pollution slows.

Mr Swan then went on to the third outcome that of developing low emissions goods and services,

especially less-emission-intensive and renewable electricity.

He finished his presentation on the point that

‘the only way to get these kinds of outcomes in a cost-effective way is with a market mechanism.’

Swanny also pointed to modelling which suggests our renewables sector will experience dramatic growth under a carbon price – with the renewable electricity sector projected to be 600 per cent bigger in 2050 than it is today.

These economic benefits are of course before one takes into account the long-term environmental benefits of this reform such as protecting the Barrier Reef, Kakadu or the agricultural wealth of the Murray-Darling Basin.

My fear is if the carbon tax is brought in too low, it will kick start the coal seam gas industry in preference to wind, solar thermal & other renewable energy technologies.....

Swanny has said:

What these numbers show is that this reform is essential both for our economy and for our environment.

We can’t let Australia become a country incapable of reform. A country where the deniers, the dinosaurs, the vested interests and partisan commentators destroy the reforms that we need to prosper together.

I would invite you to have a look at Swanny's speech in full.

Qld Greens are too soft core

Our politicians have failed us.

We cannot sit and wait for them to act on Climate change. Clearly they are not going to.

Every consumer choice we make is a vote for or against the planet. If everybody (including industry) stopped buying coal fired electricity, they might actually stop making it.

Regards,

Rowan Barber
Director

Carbon Counters Pty Ltd

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sent: 09 March 2009 06:24To: 'ronan.lee@parliament.qld.gov.au'; 'leeronan@hotmail.com'; 'Indooroopilly Electorate Office'Cc: 'brisbane.central@qld.greens.org.au'

Subject: FW: Ronan Lee eNews - a commitment to jobs, light rail and new rail links

Ronan Lee
Incumbent Member for Indooroopilly

Dear Ronan,


I am frustrated with the QLD State election campaign. Even the Greens seem to miss the point.

You and Drew have a few ideas but in reality the Greens appear to be so focused on appealing to the mainstream that they are missing the critical issues.

Cars, Coal & Cows cause Climate Catastrophies!

Climate change is one of the most significant global threats today and the issue is of major public concern in Australia. Yet we find that substantive action on climate change within the state of Queensland is sadly lacking.

The reality of the situation is that drastic structural changes will be necessary to break my society's addiction to fossil fuels.

The QLD Greens are still very soft core.

Regards,

Rowan Barber
Non-Partisan Climate Advocate

From: Indooroopilly Electorate Office [mailto:Indooroopilly@parliament.qld.gov.au]
Sent: 08 March 2009 18:27To: Indooroopilly Electorate Office
Subject: Ronan Lee eNews - a commitment to jobs, light rail and new rail links

Ronan Lee MP - Indooroopilly eNews March 8th, 2009
In this edition:
1. Ronan Lee launches Greens campaign with commitment to jobs, light rail, new rail links
2. Greens announce plans for FREE public transport for students and young people
3. Sustainable jobs package for Queensland
4. Do you need a Postal Vote?

1. Ronan Lee launches Greens campaign with commitment to jobs, light rail, new rail links Ronan Lee yesterday launched the Greens campaign for the Queensland State election with a commitment to a new light rail network for Brisbane, a plan to create jobs by making Queensland the renewable energy and sustainable industry capital of Australia and new rail links to Bellbowrie (via Darra), Toowoomba, Redcliffe and a passenger service for Beaudesert.
New Light Rail Plans The Greens will build a light rail network for the Greater Brisbane area.

This will include:
* A Northern Line to Aspley
* A North-West Line to Bridgeman Downs
* The Gap Line to Brisbane Forest Park
* The Western Line through Kenmore and Moggill, linking up with the Ipswich rail line
* The University of Queensland Line and
* The Eastern Line to Capalaba.
* The South East line – making use of the existing busway.

Queensland’s bus ways are designed to be capable of running light rail and we will make sure that we take full advantage of this.

This light rail network will fill in gaps in the heavy rail system and give Brisbane a world class public transport system. We would be applying to the Federal Government under their new public transport funding program to underwrite part of the cost.

A helping hand for renewable energy to create jobs Our vision for a new Queensland is based on building a diverse, strong economy that pollutes less, generates clean energy and employs more people.

The Greens want Queensland to be the world leader in the creation of green jobs and we want green companies to come to Queensland. These companies sometimes need a helping hand when they are locating in Queensland for the first time.

The old parties were quick to give financial incentives to the Indy car race and Virgin airlines but they have refused the same opportunities for manufactures of solar cells.

For the lack of any meaningful incentive from the State Government the Spark Solar company, which has been given Major Project Facilitation status by the Federal Government and which has the potential to be the largest supplier of solar cells in the Southern Hemisphere, states on its web site that it is looking to base themselves in one of the southern cities. At full production, the factory is initially expected to produce more than 10 million solar cells each year, generating an estimated $135 million in annual export revenue and employing more than 115 Australians in high tech positions.

The Queensland government’s refusal to understand the potential of renewable energy is costing Queenslanders jobs and holding back our economy.

The Greens will waive all State Government levies, fees and charges for any company generating green jobs that comes to Queensland. This won’t cost the taxpayer one cent because these are new companies.

New Rail lines Green action will create jobs by building new rail links to Toowoomba, Redcliffe, Bellbowrie via Darra, a passenger service for Beaudesert and speeding up construction on the Springfield and Sunshine Coast lines.

New trains built in Queensland and new rail lines mean more jobs for Queenslanders, a better transport system, less traffic congestion. This is win-win but the old parties can’t see the job opportunities here.

And we will fund these important commitments from the massive savings that will be made when we stop pointless billion dollar road proposals like the Kenmore Bypass. Our plan will solve transport problems not just shift them the way the old parties would.

2. Greens announce plans for FREE public transport for students and young people The Greens today announced at the University of Queensland Market Day a plan for free public transport for young people in Queensland.Under the Greens' plan young people under 22 years of age and all students would ride free on all trains, buses ferries and CityCats.Greens MP for Indooroopilly Ronan Lee said such a policy was important because it provided young people with free public transport to encourage them to use and learn more about the system before they learned how to drive. This means they were less likely to become habitual car drivers.Students and young people would register for an EasiCard which would use the GoCard system and provide them with free transport."This scheme would cost the State Government $40 million a year but this would be more than compensated for by such benefits as improving safety around schools by reducing the number of vehicles dropping off students," Mr Lee said."This is a congestion-busting policy and would save future governments from having to build new roads."There's a short-term cost to the government with a long-term benefit to the community."
For more info visit: http://www.ronanleemp.com/

3. Sustainable jobs package for Queensland Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Greens MP Ronan Lee launched a plan to create more than 7600 green-collar jobs in Queensland.
Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Greens MP Ronan Lee launched a plan to create more than 7600 green-collar jobs in Queensland.

"The Greens will create thousands of green-collar jobs in Queensland by retrofitting homes for energy efficiency and investing in clean energy infrastructure," Senator Brown said.
"Unlike President Obama, who has committed to creating 5 million green-collar jobs, the state and federal Labor governments are spending taxpayers' money to support big banks, big polluters and big developers.

"The Greens EASI-Q program will retrofit Queensland homes with better insulation and solar hot-water tanks, reducing power bills for ordinary Australians and creating 3,200 jobs by its fifth year of operation,” Senator Brown said.

Greens MP Ronan Lee said the Labor and Liberal parties were locked into an old approach to job creation.
"There’s not a single environmentalist or renewable energy expert on the Premier’s so-called Jobs Squad," Mr Lee said.
"The Greens want to see Queensland develop an economic base that continues to create jobs into the 21st century. That’s why the Greens would invest in two 250 megawatt solar power stations for Townsville and the Darling Downs," Mr Lee said.

The solar power stations will cost a total of $4 billion, with State and Federal Governments underpinning half the cost. The development of the clean energy infrastructure will create 4,000 jobs in the construction phase with 400 ongoing jobs.

4. Do you need a Postal Vote?
If you will be away or unable to get to a polling booth on election day you can apply for a Postal Vote by downloading a form by visiting file://www.ronanleemp.com/ or you can phone Ronan on 3878 1928 or email ronan.lee@parliament.qld.gov.au and he will arrange a Postal Vote for you.

Authorised: Drew Hutton, 49 Station Road, Indooroopilly for the Greens.

.............................................
Ronan Lee MP State Member for Indooroopilly Queensland Greens
Ph: 3878 1928 Ground Floor, 49 Station Road Indooroopilly Qld 4068