DEPUTY Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek has backed major wind projects for regional areas during a recent visit to Ballarat.
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Ms Plibersek also said major rail infrastructure projects would be on her party’s agenda if they were elected at the next federal election.
Two of Labor’s key election commitments could have a massive impact on Ballarat. A plan to introduce a renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030 was announced months ago and another plan to commit $10 billion to Infrastructure Australia, allowing the body to provide guarantees, loans or equity to help start new projects was announced last week.
Ms Plibersek was visiting Ballarat to meet with a number of international aid groups.
She said wind energy in particular held great benefits for regional areas.
“The capacity is huge, not only is it the environmental benefit of not relying on coal but its the economic benefits through construction that it brings to the region,” she said.
“All of that stalled with the election of the Abbott government and their bizarre ideological opposition to the wind industry.”
However, Ms Plibersek said the benefits could spread further with the manufacture and exporting of wind technology from regional areas.
“We have had response from the industry saying it would change investment strategies (based on the 2030 target).”
With Ballarat’s rail line producing lacklustre results, there is a hope among commuters that any government elected at the next election may come to the table and fund partial duplication of the train line.
Ms Plibersek said public transport would definitely be on the agenda as part of the infrastructure commitment.
“Obviously this is open to public transport, but it is obviously open to roads as well. We will make decisions based on this new approach to Infrastructure Australia with no bias that will deliver the best return on investment,” she said.
“We certainly don't have the strange bias against investment in public transport.”