Greens push to establish Renewable Energy Zones across Australia

The Australian Greens will put in place a new Commonwealth strategy to establish establish Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) across Australia to drive the clean energy transition.

The Renewable Energy Zones strategy was outlined by Australian Greens energy and climate spokesperson Adam Bandt MP in an opening address to the annual All-Energy Australia Conference in Melbourne this morning.

In a speech to the National Press Club the Leader of the Australian Greens, Dr Richard Di Natale, will today announce a plan to establish a national publicly owned electricity retailer, Power Australia, to increase competition in the National Electricity Market, drive down prices and support the transition to clean energy.

Quotes attributable to Dr Richard Di Natale, Leader of the Australian Greens:

Gov admits it has no renewables policy and stands condemned: Bandt

Greens climate change and energy spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, said the government’s boast in Parliament today that it will have no renewable energy policy has condemned Australia to higher power bills, more pollution and worsening climate change. 

Climate research shows Australians back Greens plan to phase out coal

Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the Climate of the Nation research conducted by The Australia Institute reaffirms that most Australians want strong action on climate change and a majority understand the contribution that big energy corporations and the relentless privatisation of our critical energy infrastructure have made to high electricity prices.

Morrison's Ministry gives middle finger to climate change and renewable energy.

Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today reacted with dismay at the appointment of anti-wind, anti-renewables Angus Taylor as the new Energy Minister. Taylor has been a vocal critic of renewable energy, allegedly claiming that energy produced from wind farms was causing communities across Australia to “tear themselves to pieces”.

The coal-huggers have Malcolm Turnbull by the throat and the government has dumped any pretence of climate action, Australian Greens Co-Deputy Leader and climate & energy spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, said today. And while the government is moving on price caps, it has stopped well short of the re-regulation that is needed and which the Greens called for 12 months ago.

Turnbull caves in on climate: Greens

Greens Co-Deputy Leader and climate & energy spokesperson, Adam Bandt, said Malcolm Turnbull’s latest energy backflip to appease the Coalition coal-huggers puts Paris climate goals out of reach. Mr Bandt also said that the proposed new energy price measures look weak and designed to lock out renewables, when what is needed to bring bills down is the full re-regulation of electricity prices and more renewable energy.

“Malcolm Turnbull has just put coal before climate and profit before Paris,” said Mr Bandt.

Turnbull can’t guarantee the NEG will pass the House thanks to coal crew: Bandt

Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that because of the 4 to 5 coal-huggers on his backbench who have threatened to cross the floor, Malcolm Turnbull cannot guarantee the passage of the National Energy Guarantee legislation through the House of Representatives.

“Malcolm Turnbull can’t even guarantee that the NEG will pass the House of Representatives,” said Mr Bandt.

Gov sees Green on power price caps, but NEG means no benefits: Bandt

Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today welcomed the news that the government may be forced to adopt a Greens plan for re-regulating electricity prices. But Mr Bandt warned that any benefits from capping power prices may be wiped out by the National Energy Guarantee which will destroy renewables investment and increase the power of the big three gen-tailers.

Senate forces Minister to reveal full NEG modelling