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NOES, 9 . . Page.. 863 ..

but, if this restructuring is worth doing, let us do it properly. How, in such a short period, can we possibly do it well? Look at this mishmash of amendments that we are supposed to be looking at now and dealing with. It is a shambles. We, as an Assembly, will not even have time to understand these amendments; so how can we vote on this issue in a responsible way?

As for business, unfortunately, Mr De Domenico and the Liberals are part of the vast majority of Government members or officials who do not recognise the opportunities available to expand business and employment in the ACT in the area of alternative technologies. The Greens say repeatedly that we do not oppose business; it is the type of business that we are concerned about. Mr Speaker, every day in Australia 15,000 times more energy from the sun strikes this land than the nation uses from all other sources of energy combined, yet we do not grab these opportunities. Over and over, short-sighted economic arguments prevent us from being innovative and from realising the long-term benefits of meeting social and environmental obligations. We are sick of being told about Hilmer and competition when there is growing community and industry concern about focusing on narrow economic efficiency arguments. Mr Speaker, this Assembly cannot afford to let pass this opportunity to ensure that ACTEW is set up for the future to become a model organisation in terms of accountability, social justice and environmental sustainability.

Question put:

That the motion (Ms Horodny’s) be agreed to.

The Assembly voted -

Question so resolved in the negative.

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