Page 2737 - Week 09 - Thursday, 9 August 1990
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unfortunately I was able to obtain a copy of only one of them. Hopefully, within the next couple of days, I will be able to get the other one.
It was interesting to notice that the Australia and New Zealand Environment Council suggested the adoption of the target reduction of 20 per cent in carbon dioxide emissions by 2005, which was suggested at the Toronto conference in 1988. It is even more interesting to note that the ACT, New South Wales and Victoria are already there. That is great, but we do not have to stop at that target.
I am surprised that there is quite a difference in those two reports, according to what is reported in the paper today. It will be very interesting to see them because I think that, until we have a unified approach in looking at the greenhouse effect and come up with a unified strategy, it will be a difficult task. Actions speak louder than words and, while it is very good to see these reports, we now need to get on and adopt them.
MR MOORE (4.48): Mr Acting Speaker, I would like to start by complimenting the Government on producing such a comprehensive document as Developing an ACT Strategy to Respond to the Greenhouse Effect. It is a start, and this is recognised on the first page of the paper, which states:
This paper is released with the object of showing the stage reached in developing greenhouse initiatives for the ACT. An update of the strategies will be released regularly in the form of implementation reports identifying all relevant authorities.
Implementation reports are really the subject of much of what I want to say. By covering so many aspects of energy conservation, very little that is concrete has at this stage emerged from the document, and that is why we will have to wait for those implementation programs. For example, on page 8 the following are mentioned:
- promoting the use of public transport and multiple-use of commuter cars
- continuing to adopt measures to reduce traffic congestion
- encouraging fuel efficiency through analysing the feasibility of adopting fuel levies.
These are all laudable goals, but the document contains no date or, more importantly, method. How will the Government promote the use of public transport, commuter car-sharing and reducing traffic congestion?
In a perfect world, all the buildings would be designed correctly to conserve energy, and we would all share cars to work, if there is such a thing as a perfect world or if that is how one's perception works. But I am afraid that is not the case, and we are stuck with what we have. The problem is urgent, and the action needs to be taken now.
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