Page 4621 - Week 15 - Thursday, 21 November 1991
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lead in the air in 1990 showed a continuing improvement in air quality. This has been the result of the introduction of unleaded petrol in 1986. Unleaded petrol has captured 43 per cent of the petrol market in Canberra, compared to 30 per cent Australia-wide.
Although the downward trend is encouraging, the 1990 result showed that national air quality guidelines were marginally exceeded on one occasion in Civic and once in Woden. These high readings occurred during winter when calm conditions and temperature inversions trapped pollutants closer to the ground.
In order to accelerate the improving trend in air quality, talks were instigated by Mr Duby and the previous Government with the Australian Institute of Petroleum to supply Sydney metropolitan grade petrol, which contains not more than 0.40 grams per litre of lead, to Canberra. As a result of Mr Duby's discussions, the Australian Institute of Petroleum announced on 13 May that only Sydney metropolitan grade petrol would be supplied to Canberra as of the end of May 1991.
It is considered desirable that this undertaking be formalised through amendments to the Air Pollution Act 1984. The amendment Bill provides for a maximum limit for lead in leaded petrol of 0.40 grams per litre and makes it an offence to supply or use petrol which exceeds the prescribed concentration.
The Minister or the Pollution Control Authority, in the event of an emergency, may exempt a company from the requirement to supply leaded petrol at the prescribed concentration for a limited period. Examples of an emergency include industrial action or refinery malfunction.
The reseller will be able to request a written warranty from the supplier certifying that the product complies with the legislation. The penalty proposed for failing to supply a warranty, when requested, is $1,000. Other penalties proposed for failure to comply are, for a body corporate, $2,500 to $50,000 and, for a natural person, $500 to $10,000. These penalties are in line with those which apply to unleaded petrol.
This legislation should ensure the reduction of ambient lead levels in the ACT. Mr Speaker, I present the explanatory memorandum.
Debate (on motion by Mr Jensen) adjourned.
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