Federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson has accused the Australian Greens of dishonesty in the latest of a string of clashes with the minor party over his portfolio.
Mr Ferguson must make a decision on whether to grant two renewable energy consortiums an extension to obtain finance or throw the tender process open again under the Solar Flagships program.
They are the Moree Solar Farm in NSW and the Solar Dawn project in Queensland.
Both consortiums failed to meet a December deadline to find financial backing and consequently risk $750 million in federal funding, the Australian Financial Review reported on Monday.
Greens deputy leader Christine Milne apportioned the blame to the resources and energy minister.
“Martin Ferguson has mismanaged the process from start to finish, helping to keep renewable energy from challenging coal’s dominance,” Senator Milne said in a statement.
The Greens have regularly accused Mr Ferguson of being a cheerleader for the resources industry.
Senator Milne said the solar scheme was plagued by design flaws and excessive delays in short-listing and selecting projects.
Greens leader Bob Brown labelled it “a Martin Ferguson fiasco”.
Mr Ferguson hit back at Senator Milne and Senator Brown.
“Comments criticising the government’s Solar Flagships Program from both the leader and deputy leader of the Greens today are dishonest and factually incorrect,” he said in a statement.
He said the multi-million dollar projects were challenging and the government had consulted widely with industry.
“Recognising the complexities involved, the two projects that were offered funding under round one of the program were selected based on merit and in accordance with expert, independent advice from the Solar Flagships Council at arm’s length from political processes,” he said in a statement.
Senator Milne said the problems highlighted the need for the $3.2 billion Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), to get off the ground.
The agency was part of a government deal with the Greens to secure support for its carbon tax.
