Page 337 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 December 2008
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
precludes us from doing so and I do not accept the full critique by the Australia Institute in this regard.
There is real benefit in demonstrating leadership and potentially establishing targets that do not accord with the federal government if the federal government’s targets are too conservative. As I said, we do not know what they will be yet. But if they are too conservative it does not mean that we should simply accept that that is the target and that anything beyond that is a pointless exercise, which is effectively what the Australia Institute is suggesting.
There are other benefits to be gained aside from the obvious and important and vital element of emissions reduction—encouraging renewable energy production, encouraging green economic activity, and encouraging and developing leadership and behaviour change in our community. So there are reasons beyond emissions reduction that also need to be brought into play in this discussion, and that is why I do not fully accept the Australia Institute’s argument that a target that goes beyond the federal government’s target is effectively meaningless. Emissions reduction, whilst obviously vital, is not the only game in town. There are other outcomes that can be achieved by setting strong targets, and those are the matters that the government is having regard to and we look forward to that discussion also through the committee inquiry that we have established this morning.
Schools—Village Creek
MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services. It concerns the site of the former Village Creek school. Minister, in the Tuggeranong Community Council meeting last week it was suggested that ACT Health’s equipment loan service would use the site. Minister, at a community consultation meeting held at the Burns Club it was suggested that the site—
Mr Stanhope: I raise a point of order. We are a bit confused about to whom the question is directed. The question is directed at me, but I do not believe it is an issue that is within my portfolio responsibilities. I wonder whether we could clarify who the question is for.
MR SPEAKER: Would you like to start again, Mr Doszpot?
MR DOSZPOT: Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Stanhope: I think the relevant minister is the Minister for Community Services.
MR DOSZPOT: Thank you.
MR SPEAKER: Just ask the question, Mr Doszpot and we might check at the end who is the best minister to direct it to.
MR DOSZPOT: Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services concerning the site of the former Village Creek school. Minister, in a Tuggeranong Community Council meeting held last week it was suggested that ACT Health’s equipment loan service would use the site. Minister, at a
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .