Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 3 Hansard (10 April) . . Page.. 872 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

I can tell you that it is good news for 800 people who have got full-time jobs and for their families and for all of the people who rely on them. I do not think anybody here would have any doubt that most of this job creation has been in the private sector, given that the Commonwealth continues to reduce its work force; yet we continue to hear carping from those opposite about our efforts - successful efforts, as it turns out - to stimulate private sector employment.

I do not doubt at all that there are still tough times ahead for Canberra. Indeed, there are many Canberrans who are doing it tough now. Many of us have heard about Defence Force cuts and other cuts the Federal Government may be intending to make, but the facts are that the private sector in the ACT is turning out to be surprisingly resilient in the face of the massive cutbacks we have seen in the Commonwealth Public Service. The sorts of initiatives the ACT Government has put in place - the incentives for business to come to Canberra, the other benefits that have very definitely occurred as a result of our budget, and the Jobs for Canberra statement - the strategy that those opposite pooh-poohed, obviously proved to be the right strategy for Canberra.

MS HORODNY: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr Kaine. This morning I attended the launch of Great Southern Energy's Earthsaver program. Earthsaver is accredited under the green power program of the New South Wales Sustainable Energy Development Authority. Residents of southern New South Wales, including Queanbeyan residents, can contribute towards the development of renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar, by joining the Earthsaver scheme. This involves paying a very small additional amount on their power bills. It is estimated that purchasing Earthsaver equivalent energy for an average household would cost only an additional $3 per week. This reflects the fact that since 1980 the cost of wind and solar energy has dropped by 85 per cent, making it very competitive and commercially attractive. Mr Kaine, are you aware that market research undertaken by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority and energy companies in New South Wales indicates that between 60 and 80 per cent of the population not only are prepared to purchase power from renewable sources but also are prepared to pay a little more for green power? I would also like to know whether you acknowledge that ACT residents have the same choice to purchase green power as New South Wales residents do. I would like to know what you, as a shareholder of ACTEW, are going to do to ensure that ACT residents will be able to participate in a green power scheme in the near future? Can you give members of the Assembly an indication of the timeframe?

MR SPEAKER: I hope you got all that, Minister.

MR KAINE: I think I got the general thrust of it, Mr Speaker. The question of alternative sources of power is a very interesting one. The question seems to imply that ACTEW is not looking at alternative sources of energy. Indeed they are, so we are not entirely uninformed on what the options are and we are well informed on the things that are being done in New South Wales.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .