Garrett accused of solar gag

By Adam Gartrell, Simon Jenkins and Julian Drape FEDERAL Environment Minister Peter Garrett is under fire for preventing government officials appearing at an inquiry into means testing of the solar panel rebate. The Rudd Government angered the solar industry in the May Budget by imposing a means test threshold of $100,000 on each household seeking the $8000 rebate to offset the cost of installing solar panels. The solar industry warned the decision would cost jobs and shut down companies, while environmental groups said it sent the wrong message about the need to reduce carbon emissions. A Senate committee was today due to question Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts officials in Canberra, but they failed to show up. It emerged Mr Garrett had instructed them not to appear, with his office saying he wanted... [read full story]