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Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey spoke in Parliament yesterday on behalf of a number of his constituents who have been unable to access a Green Loan because there is no assessor available in their area.
The Australian Government initiative, set-up to help tackle climate change, the Green Loans program is supposed to help families install solar, water saving, and energy efficient products.
“People in areas including Eudunda, Crystal Brook, Moonta, Cleve and Port Lincoln have contacted my office regarding their inability find a Green Loans Assessor who is prepared to come and inspect their project.
“These people want to take advantage of a program that should be available to every Australian, not just those living in metropolitan areas.
“People applying for this program, have been advised if there is no assessor for their area they are not eligible, this is grossly unfair, one rule for the city, another for the country.
“A Green Loans Assessor has raised serious issues of management within the program and reports that it is almost impossible, even for an assessor to contact the hotline”.
“My own staff member tried for two days without success.
“We have seen the collapse of the Solar Panel Scheme, the tragedies of and rorting under the Home Insulation Program and now the Green Loans scandal.”
“These programs have one thing in common, they are administered by Environment Minister Peter Garret. He should have kept his night job”!
Mr Ramsey said only 1,000 loans have been issued out of 140,000 assessments and literally thousands of assessors are up to $3,000 out of pocket.
“It is time for a single inquiry into the systemic failure of Minister Garret’s Home Insulation, Solar Panel and Green Loans Programs,” he said.
Media contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith (08) 8633 1744
February 2010
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