A new survey commissioned by WWF-Australia has revealed that almost 90% of Australians want the renewable energy target (RET) maintained or increased.

The polling was done by ReachTEL, which found that 59.8% of people nationally feel that renewable energy is ‘very important’ and the RET should be held steady at 41 000GWhrs by 2020 if not increased. The percentages were higher in South Australia (60%), Victoria and Tasmania (62.4%).

The Abbott Government is still determined to cut the RET and dent the whole sector where ever possible. Mr Abbotts’ compromise would be to reduce the target to around 16 000GWhrs on a floating 20% target which would be catastrophic for the industry. Talks between the government and Labor (who do not want to talk about harsh cuts to the target) have broken down and failed to reach the bipartisan deal everyone was hoping for.

Of those voters who are thinking about changing their vote from their preference in 2013, 88% think the RET should be increased or maintained, 64% supported an increased while only 12% supported a decrease. Some 64% of voters would vote for a party that supported maintaining or increasing the RET.

In another recent poll, 64% self proclaimed Liberal voters have said that they would support an increase in the RET.

“Cutting the RET makes no sense. It will see Australia’s carbon pollution go up, sustainable energy jobs lost and investment shut out. It’s also out of line with public sentiment which is clearly in favour of supporting growth in Australia’s renewable energy sector, including wind and solar,” said WWF spokeswoman Kellie Caught.

80% of people surveyed supported rooftop solar and 70% supported large-scale solar farms. Wind farms did not turn up the same distaste that some Abbott Government members seem to have for them with less than 20% of people showing any opposition to them.

84% of people believe that it is important for the government to invest in renewable energies.

The ReachTEL poll conducted on 26 November this year contacted 5,036 voters around Australia, including 1216 in Victoria, 934 in Tasmania and 873 in South Australia.

“We call on members of parliament and industry to work together to protect the environment and create jobs,” said Ms. Caught. “Powering Australia with clean renewable energy, like solar and wind power, is the right thing to do for our health, our economy and our planet.”