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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 2 Hansard (6 March) . . Page.. 599 ..

energy components. The PVRP is also applicable for installation on grid-connected households.

The rebate, which is not means tested, is available on a one rebate per property/principal place of residence basis to applicants who satisfy the conditions for both new systems and upgrades to existing systems. Those applicants are eligible for 75 per cent of the cost of the renewable energy and related components of a remote power supply system and $5 per peak watt of new photovoltaic cells, or solar panels, capped at $7,500. This amount is reduced to $2.50 per peak watt of new installed photovoltaic cells for existing systems, capped at $2,500.

The rebate does not apply to investment properties; weekenders and holiday properties; caravans, mobile homes and boats; non-owner occupied caretaker and staff residences; or power supplied for business purposes. However, the committee believes that this program could return significant benefit to Canberra residents and be a continuing effective source of renewable energy in the ACT.

The committee understands that there is a strong possibility that the Commonwealth government will be terminating this program in its forthcoming 2003-04 budget. The committee feels that such a program should be retained as part of the renewable energy action agenda. At its meeting on 21 February 2003, the committee agreed that we request the federal government to retain the photovoltaic rebate in the 2003-04 budget. The committee believes that such communication should be on a government-to-government basis.

On 3 March the committee determined that I, as chair, should make a statement to the Assembly on this matter, pursuant to standing order 246A, and then seek leave to move a motion requesting that the ACT Minister for the Environment write to the federal government, specifically the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp, and the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Mr Ian McFarlane, seeking agreement that the Photovoltaic Rebate Program be retained in the 2003-04 Commonwealth government budget.

I seek leave to move a motion concerning the Photovoltaic Rebate Program.

Leave granted.

MRS DUNNE: I move:

I do not feel that I need to speak further to the motion, except to say that this is an important element in a wide-ranging suite of issues that should be addressed in terms of renewable energy. I have already signalled to the Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment that we would be making the statement today and would encourage the house to agree to the motion.

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