Page 5110 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 17 November 2009
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beginning of that action. We are finally seeing a culture shift in this city where we are truly grabbing the bull by the horns and beginning to tackle our increasing emissions, and that is a welcome sign.
I also welcome the government’s commitment in its response to adopt a baseline of 1990. For a number of years we have seen an unfortunate, and in some senses deceptive, attempt to use 2000 as a baseline level because we know that the ACT’s emissions increased significantly between 1990 and 2000. To use a 2000 baseline has been a way of, according to an expression out there, “shifting the baselines”. It is a way of redefining a problem so that it is seen to be not as bad as it is. By taking out an easier baseline, you do shift the baseline substantially. The 1990 baseline has always been the international standard. It is a baseline with integrity and I am pleased that the government has taken the advice and acknowledged that that is the appropriate baseline from which to be moving forward.
There is much work to be done still. I note that a lot of the comments in the government’s response are agreed in principle. I have not yet had time, obviously, to read the details of what those reservations are, so I look forward to further discussion on that. We have a lot of work to do in the ACT to cut emissions, but adopting some of these first targets today is a way to go forward. The Greens are committed to working with all members of this Assembly to make progress on this very vital issue and I look forward to further discussions about the government’s response today.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Papers
Mr Corbell presented the following papers:
Subordinate legislation (including explanatory statements unless otherwise stated)
Legislation Act, pursuant to section 64—
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission Act—Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (Premium Rate—Electricity Feed-in) Terms of Reference Determination 2009—Disallowable Instrument DI2009-225 (LR, 6 November 2009).
Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) Act and Financial Management Act—Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) Governing Board Appointment 2009 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2009-223 (LR, 2 November 2009).
Public Place Names Act—Public Place Names (Pearce) Determination 2009 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2009-224 (LR, 2 November 2009).
Refugees
Discussion of matter of public importance
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mrs Dunne): Mr Speaker has received letters from Ms Bresnan, Mr Coe, Mr Doszpot, Mrs Dunne, Mr Hanson, Ms Hunter,
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