Tuesday, 13 August 2019


Constituency questions

Evelyn electorate


Evelyn electorate

Ms VALLENCE (Evelyn) (14:47): (874) My question is to the Minister for Solar Homes on behalf of constituents Glen and Debra Clark of Mount Evelyn, who own and operate a small business in solar power design and installation. The Clarks’ business is one of the top retailers accredited with the Clean Energy Council, but they have told me of the woes of the disastrous solar rebate scheme, which has taken an immense toll on their business, including the need to, sadly, lay off staff. Minister, the Clarks simply ask: will you acknowledge the government’s new solar rebate scheme is disastrous for the industry, resulting in job losses; has stifled the market, minimising the uptake of solar; and means the government will be unlikely to reach its stated renewable energy targets; and will you take urgent action to amend the rebate scheme or scrap it to ensure the survival of the solar power industry and fix the administrative and technical problems of the Solar Victoria online portal that the Clarks have outlined which have delayed payments? Minister, I note that both the Clarks’ letter and my letter to you on this serious matter have so far been ignored, and we would respect an answer.