Queensland Premier Campbell Newman Pulls State Solar Program Funding

In Brisbane today, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has tasked the architect of Queensland’s solar and green energy programs to dismantle them as part of the Liberal National Party’s plan to reduce the environmental spending to offset Federal Labor’s carbon tax.

Yesterday, Newman withdrew the Queensland’s $75 million funding for the $1.2 billion Solar Dawn solar thermal project near Chinchilla, West of Brisbane.

The recent blow to the Gillard Government’s $1.5 billion Solar Flagship Program coule put the entire solar program in jeopardy.

Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson hinted that the loss of the Queensland state funding for the solar thermal project could dramatically affect the Australian Governments $464 million contribution which was announced in February.

“If the new Queensland government chose to breach the existing financial commitment to the Solar Dawn project, the Australian government would naturally need to consider its own position,” Mr Ferguson said, according to The Australian.

The newspaper went on to add that Campbell Newman has tasked the bureaucrat who established the state’s green energy programs, Greg Withers, with dismantling them. Mr Withers is the husband of recently-defeated former Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, the newspaper said.

by Australian Solar Quotes

The Author

Darryn Van Hout

I developed an interest in the Australian energy and construction sectors more than a decade ago and have since closely followed the trends, technologies and developments shaping both industries. My involvement in the Australian solar market began in 2008, and over the years I have built strong connections with professionals, businesses and organisations across the construction, solar and renewable energy sectors in Australia and internationally. These connections include solar panel and inverter manufacturers, electrical and construction industry professionals, software developers creating tools to quote, monitor and manage solar power systems, and media organisations that closely follow developments across energy, construction and renewable technologies. Today, I continue to contribute as an industry advocate, author and commentator, sharing practical insights and information to help Australian consumers and businesses better understand solar power, energy technologies, construction-related developments and the changing Australian energy landscape.