July 3rd,  2008

GOVERNMENT CAUGHT OUT ON GREEN REBATE SCHEME

The State Government has been caught out on the implementation of its ‘Rebates for Being Green’ environmental program.

Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall revealed that an announcement about $14 million being spent this financial year (2007-2008) on the program, via rebates on replacement of inefficient appliances, had not taken place.

“It’s interesting that the then Premier was categorical when announcing this scheme in April 2007 that the $14 million was to be spent in this financial year,” Mr Hall said.
 “The Minister for Environment and Climate Change was equally categorical just this week that money would be spent this year; his exact words in answer to my question in Parliament were ‘I can certainly tell Mr Hall that I am not expecting there to be any carryover in relation to the $14 million (beyond June 30).’

“In fact both the former Premier and the Minister are wrong,” Mr Hall said.

“Subsequent to the comments in Parliament, I have been advised by the Government that the $14 million program is now being spread over four years and not the 2007/2008 year as originally stated on the then Premier’s press release.

“As well I have been advised that the Government expects to start the appliance rebate sometime in the latter part of this year.

“It seems that the Government’s Being Green program has been considerably watered down and it is another case of the Government promising a lot but delivering little.”

Mr Hall added: “It brings into question whether the Government knows what it is doing or whether it is simply making big statements but not acting on them.

“In either case, we need to keep a close watch that this Government actually does what it says it will do.”

Media contact:                  Peter Hall      (03) 5174 7066   or 0427 747 066