Crunch Time For Pm Tony Abbott On The Ret

Oh dear.

I remain deeply concerned about the potential for "Solargeddon" in Australia if the RET issue is not resolved quickly. However, it is becoming clearer by the day that the Prime Minister is astoundingly out of touch on this issue.

New research released today highlights the issues and validates previous findings demonstrating the incredibly far reaching support for solar.

PM TONY ABBOTT IS NOT REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY OR HIS VOTERS.

Whilst the Prime Minister claims to be representing his constituents on the RET, research shows he is doing exactly the opposite.

In terms of constituents, poll data shows that 70% of coalition voters ARE IN FAVOUR OF RETAINING THE RET. Poll's also found they understand the issue and that the RET is not the reason electricity prices are going up, making a mockery of the driver behind the review.

The broader population is increasingly supportive of the RET too. More than 82% OF TOTAL VOTERS ARE NOW IN SUPPORT OF THE RET which has increased from 77% a year ago.

Responses to the Review supported this finding with a staggering 23, 272 submissions to the RET review panel of which 99% WANTED THE TARGET RETAINED OR EXPANDED

This is totally consistent with previous analysis which shows the penetration of solar by electorate and that THE TOP 3 SOLAR ELECTORATES IN AUSTRALIA ARE LNP SEATS.

There are also a growing number of COALITION AND OPPOSITION MP'S AND STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTERS who are vocally supporting the RET and clearly, are at odds with the Prime Minister.

And on top of that, polls released by the Australian showed 89% OF AUSTRALIANS "Want the Government to subsidise the use of renewable energy" and ALSO 89% SAy they "Don't think the Government is investing enough in Renewable energy" and EVEN 84% SAY they would "Be willing to pay a little to a lot more for renewable energy"

So, 4.5 Million voters across all demographics and political persuasions, including members of the Prime Minister's own party in survey after survey support the RET.

And it is increasing every day.

BUSINESS IS KEY AND THEY SUPPORT THE RET TOO.

So if voters and members support the RET then it must be business who doesn't support it and they are influencing the Prime Minister, right? Wrong.

A former chairman of the AUSTRALIAN COAL ASSOCIATION IAN DUNLOP said "Corporate Australia is in denial over climate change", and that "The more enlightened corporations around the world are seeing that we now do have a very big problem, but we also have an enormous opportunity", implying support for programs such as the the RET. Former Minister John Hewson has also GONE TO PRESS saying that "The days of burning fossil fuels unabated is over" along with a host of other former Government ministers including Malcolm Turnbull who has been a keen advocate for the renewable energy industry in days gone by.

Even more telling is the fact that 100 MANAGERS OF LEADING BUSINESSES IN THE RESOURCES AND ENERGY SECTOR in Australia said that "53 per cent want the 20 per cent target to stay the same, 34 per cent would like to see it increased and 13 per cent would like to see it reduced".

Of course it goes without saying that the 3,800 solar businesses in Australia want the target retained, so they can simply get on with the plan that has been in place for ten year. What the Prime Minister doesn't seem to realise is that a)96% OF SOLAR BUSINESSES ARE SME'S, the backbone of the Australian economy and that b) the industry employs around 21,000 directly, more than double the coal generation sector.

Our own small survey of solar businesses last week revealed that 91% OF SOLAR BUSINESSES EXPECTED THEIR BUSINESS TO REDUCE if the RET was cut.

So, businesses, business leaders and a broad suite of industry sectors support the RET too.

And it is increasing every day.

CRUNCH TIME

I'm going to spell this is out for the Prime Minister in the simplest possible terms.

CONSUMERS OF ELECTRICITY AT HOME OR IN BUSINESS LOVE SOLAR BECAUSE IT HELPS THEM REDUCE COSTS.

Poll's can be wrong but the truth on this issue isn't rocket science; it really is that simple.

Your views on the RET, and the views of the Review Panel therefore represent an out-of-touch minority.

Wake up.