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Australian PM commits to wind energy on back of Paris climate talks

Xinhua, December 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has on Monday overturned a decision by his predecessor to ban government investment in wind power.

Earlier this year, former PM Tony Abbott announced a controversial ban on wind farm investment, in what was labelled a war on clean energy in favor of dirtier forms of power such as coal.

But on Monday, a cabinet spokesperson said a decision to allow the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) the right to invest in wind power reflected the Turnbull government's "strong support for renewables and innovation".

"The mandate puts the CEFC's focus on new and emerging renewables technologies, rather than supporting well-established technologies that are financially viable without government support," the spokesperson said.

The news comes on the back of the widely successful climate talk in Paris, where Australian Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop agreed to Australia becoming one of nearly 200 countries committed to ending the era of fossil fuels.

Last week, Turnbull also revealed his government's commitment to encouraging innovation and small business, and according to a statement released on Monday, noting that clean energy such as wind is crucial to the future of innovation in Australia.

Kane Thornton, chief executive of the Clean Energy Council, also praised the decision, telling The Guardian that Abbott's "war on wind" was a step back, whereas the talks in Paris and Turnbull's support for innovation was a giant leap forward for clean energy in Australia.

"Australia's role in Paris was material and it is a signal they are now serious about climate action and renewables." Endit