Page 2571 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 2 July 2008
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previously, the ACT contributes approximately one per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. In turn, Australia contributes approximately the same percentage to global emissions. So we as individuals, as a neighbourhood and as a community as a whole, need to work together to start the social change required in addressing climate change. We collectively contributed to the problem before; we must collectively contribute to the solution.
It is also important that we diversify the ACT’s electricity supply—something that this government is well underway to achieving. A solar power station is just one of the coming initiatives and investments that the Stanhope government is pursuing in order to achieve a greater diversification of electricity supply, while reducing our ecological footprint. It is also important that we do all we can to reduce the impact that the potential increase in fossil-based fuels will have on the community.
It is the government’s view that Dr Foskey’s amendment will work towards achieving these goals, and as such we are happy to support it.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (11.29): I have problems with some of these additions, and especially with (b), because it is not quite the place that I would expect to see an object like this. I suppose Dr Foskey is putting it here for want of any better destination. I do not know whether I said to Dr Foskey or a staff member the other day, when we were discussing these amendments, that they would possibly be better placed in the bill that I introduced this morning or, if we ever saw it, in the sustainability legislation that the Stanhope government promised at the election before last but which has never seen the light of day. I think that is where those sorts of objects should be located.
This piece of legislation is really about encouraging the use of renewable electricity. I suppose the motivation for that, Dr Foskey, is the issue in relation to climate change. But while I am uncomfortable with it, my discomfort is not fatal and I will be supporting the amendment. I think it is worth noting that it could have a better home than here.
Amendment agreed to.
Clause 3, as amended, agreed to.
Proposed new clauses 3A and 3B.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (11.31): I seek leave to move amendments Nos 2 and 3 circulated in my name together.
Leave granted.
DR FOSKEY: I move amendments Nos 2 and 3 circulated in my name which insert new clauses 3A and 3B [see schedule 2 at page 2656]. These amendments are fairly substantial as they give this bill real teeth. Internationally, it has been shown that putting targets in feed-in legislation strengthen it significantly. The take-up rate for feeding-in is shown to be significantly higher in those jurisdictions that have targets.
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