A few months ago I wrote to our local member for Eden-Monaro, the elusive, Dr Peter Hendy, asking him for his response to both the PM's vocal and public opposition to wind turbines. I reproduce my letter below. To date I have had neither an acknowledgement, nor a reply from his office. I will leave it to others to interpret Dr Hendy's apparent interest in this important local issue:
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Dear Dr Hendy,
No doubt you are aware of the recent comments by the Prime Minister on Alan Jones’s radio program regarding the government’s efforts in "working hard" to reduce the number of "visually awful" wind turbines in Australia.
Do you think this is helpful of the PM to basically admit to trying to shut down an Australian industry which creates jobs for Australians, especially in the electorate of Eden-Monaro? I doubt you need to be reminded of the lack of jobs growth in this region, which such developments help in alleviating, both directly and indirectly.
I urge you to raise this matter with the Prime Minister at your earliest opportunity and ask him to reconsider his position. I believe the PM is way out of touch on this issue. His attitude puts Australia at odds with leading economies around the world that are increasingly investing in renewable energy industries such as wind power.
I think it would be electorally unwise for any sitting member, especially in a marginal electorate such as Eden-Monaro, to underestimate the general public‘s support for alternative energy technologies.
Would you please advise whether you support development of wind farms in the Eden Monaro and the employment and wealth creation opportunities they provide? If so, what steps you will be taking to encourage the Prime Minister to reconsider his opposition?
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Kate Smith
Mirador
