Labor’s solar rebates mess

Daniel Andrews’ surprise cap on solar panel rebates has sent shockwaves through the industry with at least one solar panel installation business already dramatically cutting staff numbers.

Across the state potential customers are cancelling their solar panel orders and demanding refunds on deposits already paid, placing many more jobs at risk.

Energy Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio has ducked responsibility for these job losses, today insultingly blaming individual businesses for not planning for the mess that she herself created.

The Minister needs to reinstate these rebates and bring stability and certainty back to an industry which has been decimated by this Labor Government.

Daniel Andrews cited “safety” and “giving the industry time to prepare” as reasons for the rebate cap.

Embarrassingly, the Minister directly contradicted the Premier, denying there were safety concerns. This makes stark the reality that the government has simply run out of money in a precursor to what is expected to be a horror state budget.

The Minister refused today to commit to reinstating the rebate, leaving the industry in turmoil and showing a callous disregard to those who have been put out of work.

When a policy results in jobs being lost and businesses having to shut their doors, it is a clear sign that this government simply has not thought its policy through.

Daniel Andrews must detail the support he is going to offer business and what assistance he is going to offer those workers in the industry who are now unemployed.

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