(1) Does the Government support the installation of wall insulation to existing houses as a measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

(2) What programs, if any, has the Government, or any of its agencies, joined with the private sector to encourage this practice;

(3) What agencies have been involved with any such programs and with which companies;

(4) What estimate, if any, has made of the number of existing, houses which, with wall insulation would reduce greenhouse emissions;

(5) What estimates have been made on potential savings of greenhouse emissions from the installation of wall insulation in existing houses; and

(6) Which Ministers, if any, have engaged in public promotion of wall insulation in existing houses as an environmentally desirable outcome.

(1) Yes.

(2) The Government has set up the Energy Advisory Service to provide advice to ACT residents on ways in which to improve the energy efficiency of their houses, including advice on wall insulation products and service providers.

The Government, in conjunction with Just-Rite Insulation, has sought funding under the Australian Greenhouse Office Household Greenhouse Action Program for a pilot program to install wall insulation in 250 public housing properties.

(3) Government agencies involved in these programs are Environment ACT and ACT Housing.

The Energy Advisory Service is a joint initiative of Environment ACT and the Master Builders Association of the ACT. The Energy Advisory Service provides advice on the availability of products and service providers but does not recommend specific products or providers.

The ACT Housing submission for Australian Greenhouse Office funding was prepared in partnership with Just-Rite Insulation.

(4) It is estimated that at present approximately 30000 existing dwellings in the ACT are fitted with wall insulation.

(5) The extent of savings in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the installation of wall insulation in an existing dwelling will depend on its energy rating, its size, household size and occupancy patterns, the type of space heating used and the space heating fuel source.