Fed: Rudd defends $250,000 means test for energy scheme

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2007
Fed: Rudd defends $250,000 means test for energy scheme

Labor leader KEVIN RUDD has defended his decision to redefine battling families as
those earning up to 250 thousand dollars a year.

Mr RUDD has set the mark as the means-test limit for Labor's 300 million dollar plan
to help working families install rainwater tanks .. solar panels .. and other initiatives
to combat climate change.

Quizzed on how Labor arrived at a figure that's nearly five times the average annual
wage .. Mr RUDD's told reporters that in some parts of Sydney .. families are struggling
on 200 thousand dollars a year.

If Labor wins government .. households will be able to borrow up to 10 thousand dollars
to make their homes greener .. interest-free if they pay it back within a set period.





For example .. a family on 100 thousand a year will be expected to repay their loan
within five years.

Mr RUDD says the plan .. outlined at the ALP national conference in Sydney today ..

has the potential to cut 15 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions .. or taking four
million cars off the road for a year.

AAP RTV mfh/jmt

KEYWORD: LABOR CLIMATE RUDD (SYDNEY)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.