Australia: Labor's 50% goal puts pressure on Abbott

“Poll after poll shows Australians want to see more renewable energy and we now have a target from one of the major parties to deliver it," Australian Wind Alliance National Co-ordinator Andrew Bray said. “This policy leaves Tony Abbott flat footed. Tony Abbott’s inexplicable attack on wind farms and continued attachment to an ageing and inefficient coal-fired power sector looks increasingly out of touch to voters. We congratulate Labor for listening to Australians and introducing this much-needed target- the pressure is on the Coalition to show they understand that our energy system is changing and they must change with it. This target will underpin an innovative and thriving renewable energy sector to provide tens of thousands of jobs, many of which will flow to regional Australia. A bold 50% target will see wind join solar and a broad range of other renewable technologies to power Australia’s future."

“Australia has world class natural resources of sun, wind and hot rocks and this policy opens the way for us to make the most of them. There is a strong climate driver for Australia to move away from coal-fired power and this target kicks off the serious debate about how we will do that. We look forward to seeing more detail on how Labor plans to reach this very achievable target."