Page 1010 - Week 03 - Thursday, 3 April 2008
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It was a highly productive and a very informative day that saw many issues raised, case scenarios examined and actions developed. I have in my hand here the greener, better house checklist that was circulated at the seminar. It is co-authored by Derek Wrigley OAM, Emeritus Professor John Sandeman OAM and Simon Fisher. This document, also supported by the Nature and Society Forum, the Australia and New Zealand Solar Energy Society, the Alternative Technology Association and the ANU emeritus faculty, concentrates on the orientation, shading, insulation, internal mass and ventilation of a house and block in the interests of making it as environmentally efficient as possible. This, I believe, is an essential document for any homebuyer. I have made some of these checklists available from my office as well.
The seminar and checklist both refer to solar hot water and photovoltaic panels, urging home owners and buyers to install them. Mr Speaker, as you are aware, I have been to Europe and have had the pleasure of seeing the clear benefits of well-designed housing first hand. I feel it is crucial for our future that we embrace strategies like this one to further advance the capital’s position as a leader in national sustainable development of housing. I have said it before and I will keep saying it until the message comes across: we have a powerful tool in the sun; let’s not waste it.
While I eagerly await the ACTPLA summary and outcomes and the minister’s policy paper, in the meantime I will be attending the Switch to Green expo and conference 2008 at the National Convention Centre, which starts this evening. This exciting event will give the wider community the opportunity to measure their carbon footprint, discover how to make their homes green and get expert advice on retrofitting low-energy items to their homes. Not only that; we will be able to meet a carbon cop. I hope he does not issue any fines, Mr Speaker!
Tobacco—retailers
MRS BURKE (Molonglo) (6.21): I will be very brief and hopefully Dr Foskey will go for five minutes then too. Last evening I tabled 132 letters from various tobacco retailers around the city. At Mr Hargreaves’s suggestion, I want to say tonight that the representation came from IGA stores, Local Liquor shops, newsagents, petrol stations, tobacco kiosks and other mini markets. Some 61 suburbs and areas have been represented and I am very pleased that the minister will be meeting with a representative group next Thursday, I believe.
I put it on the public record again that the letter that they have written to the minister states:
As responsible retailers we applaud any meaningful efforts to redress concerns over young people and smoking and constructive measures to educate and regulate the stakeholders accordingly.
So I look forward to fruitful discussions and a fruitful outcome of that meeting next week. Whilst the government has every responsibility to get the legislation right, it must almost hear from the community, and that is a fair swag of people from the community represented. So I look forward to a good report next week.
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