THE Abbott cabinet's rejection of the Dick Warburton review of the Renewable Energy Target is a win for the community according to Friends of the Earth.
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Friends of the Earth say the Abbott cabinet's decision to shelve the review is welcome.
"The Abbott government's decision to shelve the flawed Warburton Review of the Renewable Energy Target is positive step," Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth renewable energy spokesperson.
"Now we need a commitment from the Abbott government to maintain the Renewable Energy Target as it is."
This Abbott government's rejection of the Warburton demonstrates the power of communities.
Earlier this year, Ararat community members joined Friends of the Earth's RET Road Trip which heard from mayor Paul Hooper who wants to see a proposed wind farm built in the region.
The fact-finding mission visited nine communities around the state to understand the impacts of fossil fuels and benefits of renewable energy.
RET Review chair Dick Warburton, a climate change denier and fossil fuel executive, refused an invite to join the Road Trip and engage with the community.
"The Abbott government's rejection of the Warburton Review demonstrates the power of communities. Our RET Road Trip uncovered strong public support for renewables and no public confidence in the review," said Mr Ewbank.
The cabinet's rejection of the Waburton RET Review creates an opportunity for the government to show its support for renewable energy.
"It's time for the Abbott government to return to its previous position of support for the 41-terawatt-hour Renewable Energy Target," said Ewbank.
"Weakening the Renewable Energy Target will cost jobs, kill investment, and result in higher power prices."