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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 2 Hansard (19 May) . . Page.. 333 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

gone national. Around 13 million Australians will have the choice of supporting environmentally friendly renewable energy, with electricity retailers in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia now committing to the green power scheme administered by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority. Professor Fred Hilmer, the chairman of the electricity generator Pacific Power and the architect of competition policy in Australia, announced the expanded scheme in Sydney today in time to complement - - -

MR SPEAKER: Order! Ms Tucker, can we get to the question? This is becoming like a ministerial statement.

MS TUCKER: Yes, I am almost there. It is important because Mr Smyth may not know the background, but I am nearly finished. It was done, basically, in time to complement the forthcoming competitive national grid. Minister, are you aware of SEDA going national and the amount of participation in this scheme? What action will you take as a shareholder of ACTEW to ensure ACTEW participates in the SEDA scheme - a scheme which has been proven in the market? I can see by the exchange that Mrs Carnell could equally answer this. In case you are going to say, "It has nothing to do with me", let me say I do believe that, as a shareholder, you have a place - - -

Ms Carnell: He is not a shareholder; it is just a body - - -

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MS TUCKER: Who are the shareholders, then?

Ms Carnell: Gary and I.

MS TUCKER: I beg your pardon. Can one of the shareholders - - -

Ms Carnell: That is why we were looking at each other.

MS TUCKER: Mrs Carnell or Mr Humphries - that is fine. But I would like an answer.

MS CARNELL: I was not aware of the announcements in New South Wales today on this issue, but I am more than happy to have a look at them. With regard to ACTEW's approach on green power, as we know, it has changed from the way it was initially put forward. In fact, as I understand it, the prices have come down significantly. We also know that ACTEW has entered into - or at least is very close to it if it has not already done so - a new agreement for methane-based power at the tips. ACTEW is doing a lot of things. I am really happy to look at what Ms Tucker spoke about, because I was not aware of them.

MS TUCKER: I have a supplementary question. Mrs Carnell, will you also commit to working with ACTEW to encourage them to join SEDA, not just look at it?

MS CARNELL: I am very happy to work with ACTEW. I have to say, as a shareholder, I do not work with ACTEW. As shareholders, we assess, we look at board decisions and we put forward positions or directions that we would like the board to look at. I am very happy to act appropriately as a shareholder in this situation.

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