Media Release

Labor's bungling of solar rebate puts Shire jobs at risk and residents out of pocket

Friday 2nd March 2012

The Gillard Government has pulled the rug out from Shire solar hot water businesses, putting local jobs at risk and residents out of pocket by suddenly and without warning scrapping the solar hot water rebate, Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison said today.

“This sudden end to the solar hot water rebate is just the latest in a series of broken promises by Julia Gillard. Just like with the carbon tax, Australians are once again realising that this Prime Minister can’t be trusted,” Mr Morrison said.

“The Labor Government has demonstrated its complete lack of regard for Shire business and workers by engaging in this economic vandalism,” he said.

“Shire business owners need to be able to plan for the future with confidence. By ending this rebate without warning Julia Gillard is creating uncertainty for local business and jobs.

“Shire residents and families who were planning to take advantage of the rebate will now either ditch their plans for solar hot water or be further out of pocket.

“It is just the latest example of an incompetent, dysfunctional, shambolic government at work.

“Whether it’s the bungled home insulation scheme, the green loans scheme or live exports, it has shut down programs and industries without notice or consultation.

“These actions have put workers out of jobs and businesses at risk of financial ruin.

“To make matters worse Labor will also hit solar hot water businesses with the world’s biggest carbon tax that will immediately increase costs.

“The Coalition understands that governments must provide the certainty they need to make investments, create jobs and expand. That’s why when Parliament resumes the Coalition will introduce a Private Members Motion to require the Government to commit to the remaining funding for the scheme,” Mr Morrison said.