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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 8 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 2686 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

unknowing pursuit of wood fires as a form of heating and those other advantages that people do like to gain and do gain from wood fires. It is a difficult issue, and I know there is some resistance in some quarters to this degree of regulation of this form of activity.

Unfortunately-and I think we are all aware of this as we drive around Canberra at different times of the year, and particularly at different times of the day or night-a significant pollution layer is created by the burning of wood in Canberra homes. It is an issue in relation to which the legislature does need to respond, and we need to respond in a mature and appropriate way.

The case has been made very well by Ms Tucker and by Mr Corbell. I simply wanted to reinforce the significant health implications of fine particle pollution for some people. As does cigarette smoking, it impacts more gravely upon some people than others. Some people have a predisposition to a more serious health or respiratory response to this form of pollution than do other.

I-I am sure I am not alone-receive representations, particularly from neighbours of people with open fires that burn wood that is perhaps not suitable for the purpose or less than optimum for the purpose in relation to the more visible forms of pollution and damage that occur as a result of lighting of fires in homes. I have had some quite vigorous representations in relation to the need for us to take this issue of smoke and pollution far more seriously. I think these steps are reasonable. They are reasonable and incremental steps along the road to greater regulation of this issue. I support the motion.

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education) (5.31): I support my colleague Mr Smyth. It is too early for what Ms Tucker proposes, in light of the national task force established by ANZECC. This debate should be adjourned to the autumn sittings. There are a number of sides to this argument. Having grown up in Canberra, I recall that as a 16-year-old I had to chop wood for the heater before we went to gas. I am not unfamiliar with wood heaters.

There is a significance for industry. We do have regard to the legitimate rights of small business people. I do not think anyone makes much money from the sale of wood. Whilst some regulation is desirable to ensure quality, there are other factors.

I think it is worth while reading out a letter I received from the Australian Home Heating Association Inc of Beaumaris, dated 29 August, via K. Jenkinson, their administration officer. It relates to Ms Tucker's motion and the Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2000, which we are dealing with concurrently. The letter states:

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