The Australian Democrats have dismissed as pitiful the Premier’s excuse that unexpected economic growth is the reason South Australia faces power shortages this summer.

Economic growth in South Australia over the past decade has been slowest of all mainland states – with South Australia slipping further behind the other mainland states in respect of Gross State Product per capita. Our rate of economic growth has been very modest.

"The Olsen Government’s dismal energy policy is the real reason South Australians will swelter this summer," says Sandra Kanck, Democrats Infrastructure spokesperson.

"Successive Liberal administrations have sat on their hands whilst South Australia’s generation shortages have approached critical.

"The Olsen Government bears full responsibility for the perilous state of electricity supply in South Australia this summer and must act decisively to ensure the situation isn’t repeated in the future.

"It must immediately set up a sustainable energy authority to facilitate the development of green power alternatives and encourage a more prudent use of electricity by large and small consumers alike.

"The Brown Government was elected in 1993 with a pledge to ensure 20% of South Australia’s electricity supply would be drawn from renewable sources within 10 years. Seven years down the track and renewable energy makes only a minuscule contribution to South Australia’s energy supplies.

"Had that election pledge been honoured there would be no shortage of generating capacity in South Australia. As it wasn’t South Australia will face rolling blackouts and surging pool prices this summer and potentially for many summers to come.

"The Olsen Government’s plan to leave energy planning to the market is a recipe for disaster. Victoria has gone from having a massive oversupply of generating capacity to severe shortages in just four years of market operations."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Sandra Kanck

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