13 May, 2014
Federal budget cuts undermine community environmental action and progress towards a clean energy economy
Deep cuts to environmental and renewable energy programs will undermine progress towards a more sustainable future for New South Wales, according to the Nature Conservation Council.
National Landcare Program cut by $483 million
“Federal funding for the National Landcare Program has been cut by nearly $500 million over the next five years”, said NCC Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke.
“This is a cruel blow for the thousands of dedicated farmers and conservationists who volunteer their time, effort and expertise to restore their local environment.”
Government has merged the Landcare and Caring for Country programs into a single National Landcare Program, and cut funding for the program by $483 million over the next five years.
“Between 2008 and 2012, more than 80,000 volunteers were involved in Caring for Country programs, representing an enormous in-kind contribution to restoring our rural landscapes,” he said.
“Government claims that it values voluntary community action to restore the environment, but these massive cuts to the National Landcare Program tell a different story.”
Renewable energy agency abolished, funding for large scale solar slashed
Government has announced the abolition of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and cut $1.3 billion in funding for renewable energy developments.
“Federal funding for clean energy is a smart choice for the future: it reduces pollution, unlocks billions of dollars in private investment and delivers employment in regional areas,” Mr Clarke said.
“Over the past two years, ARENA has invested more than $300 million in New South Wales, including two large solar farms near Nyngan and Broken Hill.
“These solar power plants will be the largest in Australia, powering more than 50,000 homes and creating employment for more than 400 people in construction and manufacturing.”
Government has also introduced legislation to abolish the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and ordered a review of the federal renewable energy target (RET).
“Massive cuts to federal clean energy funding and uncertainty surrounding the renewable energy target are placing billions of dollars of private sector investment in doubt,” he said.
“In New South Wales, there are more than $20 billion in renewable energy proposals in the pipeline. The federal government’s increasingly reckless approach to renewable energy is placing this investment at risk and undermining progress towards a clean energy economy.”
Missed opportunity on fuel subsidies for mining companies
Government has resisted calls to end the ‘fuel tax credit’ for mining companies, which will cost an estimated $2.4 billion next year.
“Ordinary people will pay more fuel tax each year, while mining companies remain exempt, costing taxpayers billions of dollars in lost revenue,” Mr Clarke said.
“This money would be better spent on schools, hospitals and public transport, rather than delivering inflated profits to the mining industry.
“This budget is bad news for the environment, bad news for the renewable energy sector and bad news for local communities paying the cost of destructive mining development.”
RELEVANT BUDGET PAPERS
Budget Paper No. 2 – Budget Measures – Environment www.budget.gov.au/2014-15/content/bp2/html/bp2_expense-11.htm
Portfolio Budget Statements – Department of Environment www.environment.gov.au/about-us/accountability-reporting/budget-statements
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