Page 1285 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 25 March 2009
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Authority’s energy efficiency rating scheme and make the report publicly available.”.
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (12.22): I would like to speak briefly on Mr Seselja’s amendment. Firstly, I think that it is very important that we have auditing of the energy efficiency system. I could go into anecdotal stories I have heard from people where houses have been rated on different climate zones, where they have been rated as if they had double glazing when they have got single glazing, where they have been rated as if they were insulated when the insulation does not exist, where they have been rated as if there was an awning when the awning is not there. If we do not do some rigorous auditing of the system, it will just fall into disrepute.
Given the situation that exists where, in order to build a house, you have to have a five-star energy rating, you can see why the imperative is there to ensure that every new building has a five-star energy rating regardless of any other attributes the house may have. Given the substantial increase in the price of houses which are well rated when they are sold again, it is also another commercial imperative to ensure that energy ratings are as favourable as they possibly can be. Given this, I think it is really important that the system is audited.
I would also like briefly to comment on Mr Barr’s speech, where I think he was, in general, supporting what I said. I do understand the difference between the Building Code of Australia and the sale of premises act. It is just a really complicated situation, and I think one of the reasons that it has got into this state of confusion is because there are two acts. It is complicated, and most people out there unfortunately do not understand the situation. Because it is really important information that all of us have to have about the houses we live in and that the community has to have in the interests of increasing the energy efficiency of our houses, I look forward to having considerably more information put forward when the debate is adjourned and coming back to this place with a better motion some time in the not-too-distant future.
Debate (on motion by Mr Smyth) adjourned to the next sitting.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.25 to 2 pm.
Ministerial arrangements
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Minister for Transport, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Minister for the Arts and Heritage): Mr Speaker, for the information of members before question time commences, the Treasurer and Minister for Health regrets that she is unable to be in attendance for question time today.
If there are questions that would have been directed to the Treasurer or Minister for Health, I am available to assist if I am able. I am sure that members will understand
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