Part 4/10:
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of perceived hypocrisy in Australia's renewable energy policies. Michael Costa, former New South Wales Treasurer, points out that while regional landowners face threats of legislation and fines, residents in more affluent urban areas—such as North Shore Sydney—can oppose renewable projects through protests that sometimes see those projects abandoned altogether. Costa criticizes what he calls the "hypocrisy" of supporting development in cities while denying rural landowners their property rights and ability to oppose similar projects.