"The report correctly identifies the injustice of poorer non-solar households and businesses bearing the costs of the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES)," Senator Leyonhjelm said.
"The ACCC wants the government to phase out this unfair scheme by 2021, nine years earlier than originally intended, but 2021 is still three years away.
"I will be maintaining pressure on Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg to immediately halve the cost of small-scale renewable energy certificates, which energy retailers are required by law to redeem.
"Minister Frydenberg has the discretion to halve the cost of these certificates without any need to pass legislation through the parliament.
"I will also repeat my calls to remove the GST from electricity bills. Electricity is an essential service just like water, which is already tax-free under Australia’s hotch-potch GST system. Given how government policy and policy uncertainty have held back new electricity generation and ramped up electricity prices, taking the GST off electricity is the least the Government can do."
"Millions of households can’t afford to wait another three years, they are suffering from crippling energy bills now. Halving the cost of small-scale renewable energy certificates and scrapping the GST on electricity are just two ways the government can deliver immediate relief to Australians." ---
