Farmers accept gift of free solar panels that Tony Abbott rejected

A farming family from the Liverpool Plains – the rich farming region threatened by the giant Shenhua coal mine proposal – have accepted the gift of free solar panels that were rejected by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

The free solar panels were offered as a Christmas gift to Abbott last year by Christian justice group Common Grace. But they were rejected on the basis that they would be “too costly to clean” and were a “security risk.”

Seeing as new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull already has rooftop solar on his Point Piper mansion – a 3.5kW system installed more than 15 years ago – the 12 panels destined for Kirribilli House will today be presented to 2014 Farmers of the Year Derek and Kirrily Blomfield, based in New South Wales’ Liverpool Planes.

Common Grace campaigner Jody Lightfoot said the panels had been offered to the Blomfields, who are strong advocates for sustainable farming practices.

“Hundreds of Australians donated money towards the cost of these panels and supported calls for the former Prime Minister to install them on his official residence. We’ve been waiting nine months to deliver the panels so we’re all excited to finally see them going to a worthy home,” Lightfoot said in a statement.

“Derek and Kirrily are doing a wonderful job teaching young farmers how sustainable agriculture can be part of the solution to climate change. That reflects our faith and belief in supporting healthy food and a healthy world.”

Kirrily Blomfeld said there are huge opportunities in renewable energy for farmers who have the acreage to support large scale solar.

“It helps build resiliency in our businesses. There would be benefits for whole regional communities. It’s extremely generous and wonderful for us, from our point of view. We will have them on the roof of our home. They will be reducing our use of fossil fuel.”