Zali Steggall OAM MP is calling for greater transparency following the Government’s announcements about funding for the CEFC and ARENA.

“Stakeholders are calling for policy certainty. We are seeing a piecemeal approach that lacks any substance in the PM’s energy policy announcement,” Ms Steggall said.

“We need to lock in Net Zero by 2050, not in the second half of the century, and implement a National Energy Policy like the National Energy Guarantee.”

“The government wants to look like it’s doing something to fund new technologies whilst providing less funding per year for ARENA than under Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull. And yet now the need for new technologies is even greater, since the government is changing the definition of clean and low emissions to include coal and gas.

“The shift allows money previously destined to fund renewable energy sources to be spent on carbon capture and storage and prolong the life of the fossil fuel industry. The government has already spent $1.36 billion in carbon capture storage without any effective outcome. Without a carbon pricing mechanism, it is just money wasted.”

Zali Steggall MP is reintroducing the Climate Change Bill in November as a Private Member’s Bill that would set a net-zero target by 2050 in law. It is needed more than ever to force the government to commit to sound economic and environment policies
that will keep Australia safe and deliver future proof jobs.