Carbon neutral lender calls for solar means test to be abolished

Written on the 2nd of July 2008

MEDIA RELEASE




Australia’s first carbon neutral full service lender, Wilson National, is calling on the Rudd Federal Government to abolish the means test on solar panels in an effort to encourage more people to make the switch to clean energy.

The call comes as the number of applications for solar panels has plummeted since the introduction of the rebate in the May 2008 federal budget.

Wilson National who have adopted a reduce and offset program through the Carbon Reduction Institute to become Australia’s first carbon neutral lender is perplexed as to why the federal government as placed a means test on solar panels.

Wilson National Communications Director Gordon Watson says, “The imposition of a means test on solar panels by the federal government is very disappointing. At a time when we should be encouraging people to switch to clean energy sources, the Federal Government is doing the opposite, and this will only increase our dependence on polluting sources of energy, like coal. For the government to say the program needs a means test because it is too popular is just ridiculous.”

“The solar panel rebate means test means an average family with a mortgage which consists of a teaching mum and a dad who is a nurse, will no longer be eligible for a rebate – and that is just non-sense. Wilson National has encouraged their customers considering a renovation to consider an ecovation on their home, which can include a rebate on their home loan, but without the federal rebate it makes it impossible for some families.”

“We have heard the Prime Minister time and time again say the price of action now, is far less than the price of inaction, and it is time for the Prime Minister to stand by his word and make the solar panel rebate available to all families, rich or poor. Because at the end of the day, every solar panel on a roof top, is one more house not using energy from a coal powered source.”

(Pictured above: Wilson National Communications Director Gordon Watson with his Honda Civic Hybrid)

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