Page 4052 - Week 09 - Thursday, 26 August 2010
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MR CORBELL: The key way we will assess the risk is a detailed analysis through the development of an action plan. Action plan 2 will outline the specific range of programs and policies that the government will bring to the table to start to achieve these targets. The government will have regard to the findings of the standing committee inquiry, which recommended the deployment of a cost-benefit analysis model, and I know that the inquiry received evidence from the ICRC on how that can be framed. The government will have regard to that recommendation, and indeed to the final report that was tabled earlier today that outlines that.
Least-cost measures are going to be a vital part of the mix, and least-cost measures that deliver efficient and effective reductions in emissions must be part of the overall suite of policies. We know that you do not just start at the least-cost part of the McKinsey cost curve and slowly move towards the higher cost. You need to have a series of measures across that continuum. You will need to have low-cost measures, but there will be other measures that will be increasing in cost. The transition cannot be achieved by low-cost measures alone. We all understand that. We all should be honest about that. Even a 30 per cent target will have low, medium and high-cost measures as part of it.
Let us be very clear about this debate moving forward. There are costs to the community, but there are opportunities as well in terms of economic development, in terms of job creation, in terms of knowledge and in terms of export potential. That is the opportunity that is presented to us by this target. Equally, as a Labor government, we will remain committed to protecting low income earners in our community through appropriate measures, such as concession regimes and payments, to ensure that low income earners do not disproportionately carry a burden that they cannot carry. We are committed to doing that as a Labor government.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hargreaves?
MR HARGREAVES: Thanks very much, Mr Speaker. I apologise, Ms Le Couteur. I think you jumped, but Ms Hunter jumped before you. My supplementary to the minister—
Members interjecting—
MR HARGREAVES: I’m polite to them; you guys aren’t.
Mr Coe: You’re patronising, John.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES: If the paper hat fits, wear it.
MR SPEAKER: Your question, Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES: Minister, what sort of actions will be necessary for the ACT to meet these emissions targets?
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