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Labor Fails Renewable Energy Employment TargetThe Bracks Government has failed to meet its target of 300 new jobs created in country Victoria from wind energy, Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources Philip Davis said today. By Phillip Davis - 8th May 2006 - Back to News Mr Davis said on 28 March 2004, the Minister for Energy Theo Theophanous claimed that 300 jobs would be created from investment in the manufacturing of wind energy components.
But in Parliament this week, the Minister admitted the Bracks Government had failed.
"The Minister made his claim that 300 country Victorians would receive employment two years ago, with the target to be reached by 2006," Mr Davis said.
"However the Liberal Party has forced the Bracks Government to admit its failure to country Victorians.
"The Bracks Government has bullied country Victorian communities, attempted to force them into having windfarms built in their backyards, but even then, there has still been little employment generated."
In Parliament this week, Minister Theophanous refused to deny that his proposed renewable energy industry policy would require an effective subsidy of $1 million for every job created.
"The Minister dodged my question, but did not deny the subsidy policy," Mr Davis said.
"The Bracks Government is willing to sacrifice country Victorian communities to meet its renewable energy targets."
Mr Davis said the Liberal Party was supportive of renewable energy, but not at the expense of country Victorian communities.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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