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Labor Cover-Up On Renewable EnergyThe Bracks Government is covering up an independent review that identified flaws in its Victorian Renewable Energy policy, Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources Philip Davis said today. By Phillip Davis - 17th August 2006 - Back to News Mr Davis said Labor’s Energy Minister Theo Theophanous has refused to release the original business impact statement prepared by McLennan Magasanik Associates, because a review by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) has found the energy policy to be seriously flawed.
Mr Theophanous last week told Parliament the McLennan Magasanik Associates report would not be released due to ‘commercially sensitive issues’.
However the Liberal Party believes the real reason why the Minister will not release the report is because a subsequent analysis of the report by VCEC found the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET), implemented by the Victorian Renewable Energy Bill now before Parliament, would have a negative impact on Victoria’s economy.
"VCEC is required to provide independent advice as to adequacy of any business impact statements and the Victorian public has a right to know the results of VCEC’s analysis," Mr Davis said.
"The Liberal Party has applied through Freedom of Information to obtain relevant documents relating to VCEC’s analysis, and we will make this information public.
"It is obvious the Energy Minister has something to hide, if not, why will he not release these documents?
"All these circumstances point to the Bracks Government attempting to cover-up the real impacts the Victorian Renewable Energy policy will have on Victoria’s economy."
Mr Davis said VRET was nothing more than a pricing transfer scheme from consumers to wind farm developers.
"VRET will cost Victorian energy consumers an additional $80 per household per year," he said.
"It will also cost more than 1000 jobs.
"The damaging economic impacts of this policy have been covered up by the Bracks Labor Government in another attempt to fool Victorians with spin."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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