Labor is
calling on bungling Energy Minister Guy Barnett and the Liberal Government to
stop locking Tasmanian businesses out from participating in the Tasmanian
Energy Saver Loan scheme.
Mr Barnett’s
needless requirement that installers be Clean Energy Council (CEC) certified
means that 90% of Tasmanian installers are ineligible to do installations under
the government’s scheme.
CEC
Retailer accreditation offers Tasmanians not one single extra consumer
guarantee that isn’t already available.
Whitney Electrical & Solar is one of the reputable, high-skilled and experienced
Tasmanian solar businesses who are unable to participate in the government’s
so-called Energy Loan Saver program because of Guy Barnett’s red tape.
The Government
only introduced the requirement to ease concerns about the partner they chose
for the scheme, Brighte Capital, which has profited from questionable behaviour
on the mainland. We also understand Brighte is now actively recommending
mainland installers when it receives inquiries about the scheme.
After
announcing he would meet with installers, Guy Barnett, did not turn up; instead
leaving bureaucrats and advisors to tell installers he would not help
them. The issue remains unresolved.
Effectively, Mr
Barnett is saying he trusts a contractor with an expensive tick more than he
trusts a Tasmanian business like Whitney Electrical & Solar.
He is also
ensuring that mainland companies can reap the rewards of the scheme, while
local businesses are locked out.
The Government
should remove this red tape and focus its attention on measures that will
actually protect consumers, and power policies that will actually help
Tasmanians.
Unfortunately, under the complete and utter mismanagement of the portfolio by bungling Barnett, this government’s energy priorities are all wrong and Tasmanians are literally paying the price.
Dean
Winter MP
Shadow
Minister for Energy & Emissions Reduction
