Page 6053 - Week 18 - Thursday, 12 December 1991
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The Rally environment policy also had a proposal to support the phasing out of CFCs in aerosols and refrigerators. Naturally, we would have extended this to air-conditioning systems in motor vehicles. The issue of the reduction of the ozone layer - and its potential to affect the health of Australians, particularly in the ACT because of our altitude - is a very important one.
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. While there are some differences between this debate and the greenhouse debate, or the global warming debate, they are linked. Both CFCs and halon gases also contribute to the global warming problem. This is acknowledged in a report produced by Denni Green, called "A Greenhouse Energy Strategy for ANZEC", which was prepared for the Australian and New Zealand Environment Council, or ANZEC; that is, the council of all environment Ministers from Australia and New Zealand that looks at issues relating to the environment.
This report says that the reduction of CFCs and halon gases would have a significant effect on the greenhouse effect, or global warming. The subject has also been a regular discussion point at ANZEC conferences. I refer members to a very interesting strategy paper for ozone protection. It is called "Strategy for Ozone Protection", it is put out by the Australian and New Zealand Environment Council, it is dated August 1989, and I commend it to members for their bedtime reading. This document provides some 106 recommendations for strategies for the phasing out of ozone depleting substances. I note that this Bill picks up almost all the main approaches identified in the executive summary of that report, on which the 106 recommendations are based.
I turn back to the issue of the problems associated with skin cancer in the ACT. It is acknowledged that the recent concerns about the degeneration of the protective ozone layer go back as far as 1974, when scientists first became aware that chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, and halon gases were affecting this very important protective layer.
Debate interrupted.
ADJOURNMENT
MADAM TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! It being 4.30 pm, I propose the question:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Ms Follett: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.
Question resolved in the negative.
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