Fed: Clean energy laws pass the Senate =2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2009
Fed: Clean energy laws pass the Senate =2

The laws will see 20 per cent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2020.

The government and the opposition on Wednesday struck a deal to amend the Renewable
Energy Target (RET) scheme and pass it through parliament.

On Thursday they made good on that deal, with the scheme passing the Senate without
any opposition.

The vote was taken on voices alone, with most senators not required to attend. No Nationals
senators were present for the vote.

The Senate made minor technical amendments to the RET so it now has to go back to the
House of Representatives for final approval. This is expected on Thursday.

The major changes to the scheme agreed to by the government and the opposition were
not made to the bills in the Senate. It is understood they will be made separately, by
regulations that do not have to go through parliament.

A bid by the Nationals to give more support to food processing companies under the RET failed.

And a bid by the Greens to "green up" the scheme, giving less assistance to industry
and increasing the renewable target to 30 per cent, also failed.

The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2009 and the Renewable Energy (Electricity)
(Charge) Amendment Bill 2009 are expected to pass the lower house within hours.

AAP ca/sb/apm

KEYWORD: CLIMATE PASS 2 CANBERRA

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.