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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-09-23 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

Renewal Energy Target

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:03): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Our government has led the way in tackling climate change. We took action at a local level, passing the nation's first dedicated climate change legislation, and we were the first state with a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also recognise the need to engage with jurisdictions around the world to exchange learnings and experiences to ensure we all deliver meaningful action on climate change.

I am proud of the role South Australia has played on an international level. I hold the role of Co-Chair of the Climate Group's States and Regions Alliance, a role first held by former premier Mike Rann. The Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation is currently representing me at a meeting of the Climate Group and the United Nations Climate Summit hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in New York. While in New York, the minister joined more than 300,000 others in the People's Climate March, the largest climate rally in history, with events in over 150 countries.

In 2009, the South Australian government committed to a target for the state to achieve 33 per cent of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020. Figures from 2013 indicate that 31.5 per cent of energy produced in South Australia was from renewable sources, but updated numbers from the Australian Energy Market Operator expected this month are likely to show that we have well exceeded the 33 per cent target.

This is a significant achievement, but we are not satisfied with simply resting on our achievements: we are committed to continuing to lead. We accept the scientific evidence on climate change, and we take our responsibility to act on those warnings very seriously. That is why, today, I announced that we are increasing our target for the amount of our state's energy that is generated from renewable sources.

It is now the goal of this government that 50 per cent of South Australia's total energy be generated from renewable sources by 2025, provided the federal renewable energy target remains in its current form. We have demonstrated in South Australia that, with the right policies and incentives, with clear goals and strong leadership, even highly ambitious targets can be achieved and surpassed.

One of the keys in reaching this new target will be investment in renewable energy industries. In October 2013, South Australia committed to an investment target of $10 billion in low-carbon generation by 2025. This target puts a focus on renewed economic development and provides further support for South Australia's ongoing push for increased renewable energy generation.

If South Australia is able to achieve this level of investment in our state, we will be able to achieve our new renewable energy target. I stress again, however, that both the 50 per cent renewable energy target and the $10 billion investment target are contingent on maintaining the current federal renewable energy target scheme arrangements. The commonwealth government is contemplating the reduction or even the abolition of this highly successful federal scheme. In South Australia alone, this prospect has seen the number of projects—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: These are projects that are being held up because of your federal colleagues.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Raise your voice.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Raise your voice for your state.

The SPEAKER: The Premier will be seated. The leader and deputy leader are called to order. Leave was granted. If you don't want to hear it, don't grant leave. Premier.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Thank you, sir, In South Australia alone, this prospect has seen a number of projects placed on hold, putting many thousands of construction projects and ongoing jobs at risk. Along with industry, we call on the commonwealth and those opposite to continue supporting the federal renewable energy target and follow South Australia's lead.

Ms Chapman: Closed down a whole department.

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is warned a first time.

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