Page 2639 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 2 July 2008
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MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (5.41): I do wish to speak to the title. I thank members for their contribution to the debate. Today, with the passing of this bill, the ACT will lead the nation with a forward-thinking piece of environmental legislation. This bill, titled—
MR SPEAKER: But you will be talking about the title, will you not?
MR GENTLEMAN: This bill titled, Mr Speaker, the Electricity Feed-In (Renewable Energy Premium) Bill 2008, will provide the framework for the ACT community, including commercial businesses and industry, to actively pursue an increase in the uptake of renewable energy electricity production. It will stand as an important building block, ensuring a stable foundation for the future development of renewable energy industries here in the ACT.
MR SPEAKER: But only if the title is agreed to.
MR GENTLEMAN: Indeed, Mr Speaker. I want to thank those that have contributed during all the time we have been getting this title and the bill ready. I applaud all members who supported the bill, and I particularly want to go to those that helped me with that title.
There are many people I would like to thank in relation to the legislation, including Luke O’Conner and the members of the Labor Party environment committee for their contribution to the initial proposal and the title. I would like to thank James Prest from the ANU’s environmental law division for his ongoing support and assistance; Dr Janette Lindsay, Andrew Glikson also from the ANU. I would like to thank Justin Ryan from Armada Solar, Andrea Gaffey from BP Solar, Phil Moody from Solar Tech Renewables and Phil from Green from Frog Solar for their support.
I would also like to thank those who assisted in the organising and conducting of the community forums and Parliamentary Counsel for their patience, assistance and clarification on all things legal, including the title. I would like to thank my office staff, Luke Austin, Dave Carroll and former staff members who contributed, including Michael Smith, James Macdonald and Claire Bongoirno, for their work over the past two years. And I would like to thank members here today for their contribution.
I would finally like to thank the people of Canberra for their ongoing support and all of those who attended the public forums, those who made the submissions, including on the title. I would like to thank those who authored hundreds of emails, letters and phone calls of support. There are many people out there in the community waiting for this bill to pass. With that, I would like to conclude by saying: remember, members, the sun does not send us any bills.
Title agreed to.
Bill, as amended, agreed to.
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