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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 10 Hansard (4 September) . . Page.. 3087 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

The greenhouse issue is quite topical at the moment, of course, because of the forum of South Pacific countries which is currently being held in the Marshall Islands and which is being attended by our Prime Minister. There are many South Pacific countries which will face catastrophe in the next 50 years or more if the worst predictions of climate change come true. Rising sea levels could see some islands actually disappearing, and others will face increased flooding and contamination of water supplies. These countries are looking for help from Australia, as their nearest developed neighbour, but are being sadly disappointed by Australia's retrograde stunts on the climate change convention.

I have so far talked about the international dimensions of the greenhouse issue, but this issue is just as relevant to the people of the ACT. There is a key saying in the green movement that we should think globally and act locally. Climate change is a global issue that, indeed, requires a global response. We should be concerned about greenhouse gas emissions in places like the United States, Europe and Asia because the greenhouse effects of these gases will affect all of the globe. However, we should also be concerned about our own greenhouse gas emissions. It has been argued in other forums that Australia should not be forced to take much action on greenhouse because we are a relatively small contributor of greenhouse gases on the world scene.

MR SPEAKER: Order! It being 5.00 pm, I propose the question:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.

Question resolved in the negative.

Debate resumed.

MS TUCKER: It will probably also be said in this debate that Canberra, as just one city in Australia, makes an even smaller contribution to the greenhouse effect and, therefore, should not go out of its way to reduce its emissions. I would argue, however, that this is just buck-passing. If every government just pointed to another government and said that it was their responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, that they should bear more responsibility for the problem than we do, then nothing would ever happen. Somewhere along the line someone must take responsibility for this issue. I believe that every government at every level should take responsibility for minimising the impacts of climate change by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions in their jurisdiction.

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