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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 6 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1613 ..

MS TUCKER (11.38): I thank members for their support. The question of the applicability of the whole document to the jurisdiction of the ACT seems to be of concern to some members of the Liberal Party. I think this concern has been addressed correctly by speakers in this debate. This is an aspirational document, and obviously there is a local application. Promoting a culture of tolerance, non-violence and peace, for example, has international ramifications, but it also has absolutely local ramifications and hopefully we will see in the ACT the promotion of a culture of tolerance, non-violence and peace. We have certainly tried to do that over the years in Canberra with various forms of legislation and so on. I think that to a degree all the sections of the Earth Charter are applicable to the ACT in terms of their actual essence.

I thank members for their support. In some ways, I think it is quite historic that we as an Assembly will accept this motion. I know that this debate is being repeated around the world in different forums. It is a hopeful sign that internationally discussions based on these principles are being held, because God knows we need to be progressing these sorts of principles in the world that we are currently living in.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Solar hot water rebate scheme

MRS DUNNE (11.40): I move:

That this Assembly condemns the ACT Government for the introduction of its regressive Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme and calls on the government to:

(1) cease its discrimination against people who rent, particularly those who rent through ACT Housing;

(2) lead by example and demonstrate its commitment to the use of renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by:

(a) immediately commencing the installation of solar hot water systems on all suitable, new developments constructed by or on behalf of ACT Housing; and

(b) initiating a program whereby all replacement hot water systems on suitable ACT Housing dwellings are solar systems.

I rise today to propose this motion as an environmental issue which will also bring unalloyed benefits to the tenants of ACT Housing.

As a society our consumption of energy is increasing at a rapid rate. Along with this comes a rapid increase in emissions of greenhouse gases from the use of fossil fuels. As well as looking at new means of generating power-and in this place the Planning and Environment Committee has a reference on renewable energy-it is imperative that we look at ways of conserving energy for the long-term sustainability of our environment. One way of conserving energy is by taking advantage of the technology available in solar power and specifically in solar hot water systems.

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