Page 254 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 7 March 2007
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are not meeting their targets. France is nine per cent over target, Norway is 22 per cent over its Kyoto target, Portugal is 26 per cent over and Spain is 36 per cent over its target. Despite not ratifying Kyoto, Australia is still on track to meet the targets that were established through its own policy initiatives. The new Kyoto protocol needs to appreciate the comparative advantage that Australia has in natural resources, and so does the Green movement, and it should not disadvantage Australian economic development over the longer term.
Unfortunately, the Greens seem to have a commitment to this past notion of what is necessary and they failed to recognise the failings in the original protocol and its implementation. The Australian government, for its part, deserves to be commended on playing a major role internationally in addressing climate change. Clearly, there is a need to develop strategies to combat climate change. There is work to be done here at the territory level that is overdue. There is work going on nationally, which I think is making wonderful progress in fulfilling our environmental goals, and for that reason I propose to amend Dr Foskey’s motion. I seek leave to move the amendment that is circulated in my name.
MR SPEAKER: You cannot do that yet, Mr Mulcahy, until we deal with the other amendments.
MR MULCAHY: All right. I conclude my remarks but state that I have fundamental issues with Dr Foskey’s motion. I do not think it shows vision and I think it is short-sighted. I would certainly encourage members to support my forthcoming amendment.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for the Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Housing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (11.12): I seek leave to amend my amendment No 4 by adding the existing paragraphs 2 (d) (i) and 2 (d) (ii) contained in Dr Foskey’s motion.
MR SPEAKER: That has been circulated, hasn’t it?
MR HARGREAVES: It has been circulated, with my signature on it.
Leave granted.
MR HARGREAVES: Thank you very much. I move amendment No 4:
Add the existing paragraphs (2) (d) (i) and (ii) contained in Dr Foskey’s motion.
By way of explanation, in the drafting of the amendment there was the inadvertent removal of paragraphs 2 (d) (i) and 2 (d) (ii) of Dr Foskey’s motion. The government supports those particular clauses, so I would like to have them reinstated.
Amendment agreed to.
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Minister for the Arts) (11.13): I am very pleased to join in this particular debate. It is a very important debate and, as Dr Foskey said in her remarks, is most certainly the most significant
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