Ballarat residents have taken to the streets to support a fair price for renewable energy. Many residents who have already installed solar energy on their homes, and many more who would like to, are angry about a State Government scheme that will do little to encourage investment in renewable energy.

The Greens have condemned the ALP for dressing up another tax rort for plantations as climate policy.

"This law gives investors an up-front 100% tax deduction on their costs in establishing a plantation with no requirement that the trees be kept in the ground.

The Greens, Nationals and Senator Heffernan joined forces to condemn the bill.

"Why is the ALP determined to drive regional Australia off the land and undermine the viability of their communities with this latest tax gift to plantation growers?" said Dr Mckelvie.

Recent studies have shown that protecting native forests will be critical to offset the burning of coal. The Greens candidate for Gippsland, Dr Malcolm McKelvie has asked all candidates and voters to think about Gippsland's two big industries that are worsening climate change.

Greens candidate, Malcolm McKelvie says Labor has dropped the ball on climate change. Labor's budget is rewarding the carbon polluters and wiping out the solar industry.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd must reverse the budget gaffe which has devastated solar power businesses around Australia. A Yarragon based solar power supplier servicing the whole state estimates their business will suffer an 80% decline in grid interactive system installations. The effect is drastic and contrary to the stated policy of the government.