*This opinion article was originally published on Monday 20th February at Renewreporter, which has since been discontinued.

While the rudderless Turnbull government remains divided over energy and climate policy, analysis by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) shows that it is Victoria's Renewable Energy Target that will secure the state's energy future.

Just days after the Victorian Liberal party’s Shadow Minister Against Renewables David Southwick made a misguided pledge to axe the VRET, Victorian communities are celebrating the real leaders in renewable energy at Hepburn Wind’s community wind farm.

In a sign of how the upcoming Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) can benefit the state’s manufacturing industry through greater local content, Australia’s top wind manufacturer yesterday announced it will put on  50 new workers at the Keppel Prince wind tower factory in Portland.

With Ford factory doors closing in Victoria last Friday, cleantech jobs in Geelong got a boost today with the Andrews government backing electric vehicle manufacturing alongside its ambitious Victorian Renewable Energy Target.

With NZ wind company Tilt Renewables announcing it will move its regional HQ to Melbourne as Victoria gears up to meet ambitious renewables targets, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy can show leadership on renewable jobs & investment by backing the Victorian Renewable Energy Target.

The ACT Liberal party has announced its backing for the territory’s Renewable Energy Target of 100 percent by 2020.