As we edge closer to “E-Day” – the looming September election, a number of debates are heating up the political landscape. The price on carbon continues to be at the forefront – will it stay, or will it go? Amongst the ‘he-said, she-said’ chatter, it can be hard to distinguish what each party is actually proposing.
So, Energy Action clears the clutter and gives it to you straight – here’s what all the fuss is about:
On face value, the Labor Government has remained strong in backing their carbon pricing scheme and the “Clean Energy Future” plan; whilst the Opposition proposes to abolish ‘any price on carbon’. It’s not quite this clean cut.
The Labor Approach
The current Government’s approach to energy efficiency is now well known and publicised. The Government has committed itself to increasing the amount of renewable energy generated to 20% of total generation in 2020. The reaction has been split: some love it, some hate it, and many love to hate it! The Clean Energy legislation includes:
The Coalition Approach
The loudest message we are hearing from the Opposition is their commitment to abolishing the price on carbon. Whilst technically this is true, they do maintain a climate change policy of their own. Until recently, details on this policy were light on, but there is now some clarity providing a little more to their story also. It’s important to note, they too have maintained their commitment to a 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target by 2020.
The ‘Coalition’s Plan for a Cleaner Environment’ is the competing policy to the Clean Energy Future Plan. The Liberals have outlined four key focus areas for their environmental Plan:
Although the two opposing parties have agreed that the Renewable Energy Target should remain constant there are clearly multiple facets in which the approaches contrast. The Government will continue with their pricing of carbon whilst the Opposition will focus on investing in infrastructure and restructuring the NEM.
Finally, the message to business our view remains the same, avoid the uncertainty surrounding the election and the log jam of energy contracts being processed at the same time. Go to market early and ensure that you take a carbon exclusive contract to guarantee that you won’t be paying for a scheme that may not be existent come September.
Get in touch with Energy Action today and request a carbon exclusive contract.