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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (11 April) . . Page.. 1048 ..

MS DUNDAS (continuing):

ACT government support for developing clean technologies could enable the establishment of new industry in the territory and enhance economic activity, as well as create jobs. I believe that the committee should have the scope to look at social solutions in addition to engineering ones.

While the Democrats are highly supportive of using new technologies to reduce greenhouse emissions, we also have to look at our social attitudes and behaviour towards energy consumption. If we are looking to establish a sustainable future for the territory, we cannot simply impose these ideas from above. We need to work with the people of Canberra and consider education and community partnerships as just as important as power sources.

I hope that the inquiry process will be able to feed into the work of the newly established Office of Sustainability as well as support the ACT greenhouse strategy. Sustainability is not just about building wind turbines instead of gas plants; it is about working together as a society to ensure that our use of resources can be maintained into the future without eroding the quality of our environment or disrupting the natural processes of the biosphere. It is also a learning process, and a continually evolving one.

It is important that time be taken to learn from experience elsewhere and to be flexible enough to take on new ideas. I hope that this committee inquiry will be part of this process.

Mr Quinlan: I need some guidance, Mr Speaker, because I had already circulated an amendment with some of these words in it. I gather that, in rising first, Ms Dundas' amendments must be dealt with first.

Mrs Dunne: No, it's smart, Ted.

Mr Quinlan: Was it deliberate?

Mrs Dunne: Yes, because some of these amendments will obviate some of yours which we would oppose, but we will support these amendments.

MR SPEAKER: My assessment of the situation is that we should proceed to Ms Tucker's contribution to the debate. You may like to have a further look at that in discussion with the Clerk and see how you should deal with it.

Mr Quinlan: It might be appropriate to adjourn the debate.

MR SPEAKER: It might be appropriate, but it can only be appropriate if you move for that.

Mrs Dunne: Don't do that, Ted; we can sort it out.

MR SPEAKER: On that basis, Mr Quinlan having resumed his seat, would you like to make your contribution to the debate at this point, Ms Tucker?

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