Government not budging on RET offer

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has commended Labor on its latest offer on the renewable energy target, but says the government can't support it.

Industry minister Ian Macfarlane

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has commended Labor on its offer on the renewable energy target. (AAP)

The federal government has commended Labor for its latest offer on the renewable energy target, but insists it won't be budging.

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane instead wants the opposition to have another think about supporting a pared-back 2020 figure.

Labor will back 33,500 gigawatt hours - down from the legislated 41,000 GWh - but Mr Macfarlane told ABC radio on Thursday the government's top limit was 32,200 GHw, which he said would ensure the scheme was sustainable.

Opposition climate spokesman Mark Butler says the government is on its own, with business and the clean energy sector backing a compromise target.

"It's time for the government to move," he told Sky News.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world