Victorian Coalition’s clean energy sabotage is no better than climate denialism

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s announcement that he would scrap Victoria’s state renewable energy target if elected shows he is out of touch with mainstream Victorians and that he has no plan for the long-term prosperity of Victoria, Environment Victoria said today.

Environment Victoria Campaigns Manager Dr Nicholas Aberle said:
“Victoria’s renewable energy target is going to bring $2.5 billion of investment to the state, create thousands of jobs across regional Victoria, and massively cut our climate pollution.

“By threatening to scrap the Victorian renewable energy target, Matthew Guy is saying he doesn’t want clean energy investment, doesn’t want new jobs in regional Victoria, and he doesn’t intend to do anything about climate change.

“Saying ‘we’ll leave it to the federal government’ is shirking responsibility. Instead of providing leadership to clean up our economy, Malcolm Turnbull and Josh Frydenberg have chosen to play political games. Their climate targets are not up to the job, they are beholden to the coal industry, and almost daily members of the federal Coalition are calling for the scrapping of the national renewable energy target.

“Pretending that we can ignore climate change is head-in-the-sand stuff. Unfortunately this is what Coalition parties around the country have descended to: they’re trying to score political points at the expense of our children’s future. Frankly, that’s disgusting.

“To all the Liberal and National MPs in regional areas that would benefit from the creation of thousands of jobs in the construction of new wind and solar projects, we say voting against a state renewable energy target is a betrayal of your electorates. What’s more, those regional electorates are among the most vulnerable to climate change, so it’s a double kick in the teeth for regional Victorians,” said Environment Victoria Campaigns Manager Dr Nicholas Aberle.

Environment Victoria today launched an advertising campaign highlighting the Victorian Coalition’s lack of a plan to protect Victorians from climate change, and their opposition to renewable energy. An ad published today in the Manningham Leader, Matthew Guy’s local newspaper, will be followed by billboard ads across the state.

“Making a fast, safe transition to a renewable energy-powered economy is critical to Victoria’s future. We had hoped the Victorian Coalition would act responsibly by developing their own clean energy and environment policies, but they have embarked on a campaign to wreck the state’s renewable energy industry.

“We know Victorians don’t support attacks on clean energy, so we’re going to make sure Victorians know that Matthew Guy is taking the axe to the state’s clean energy industry,” said Dr Aberle.