Page 4303 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 27 November 2013
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Just over three-quarters of those surveyed believe that it is moderately or very urgent that the ACT government take action to tackle climate change and over 80 per cent want the ACT government to take a leadership role in supporting the community in tackling climate change.
These are very welcome results, Madam Speaker. They are very welcome results. They are an endorsement of this government’s strong policy agenda to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions and they are clearly consistent with the expectations and views of an overwhelming majority of Canberrans.
Support for the government’s plans to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change was very high—between 73 per cent and—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR CORBELL: I know they do not like it, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, members!
MR CORBELL: I know they keep saying that climate change is not a problem for the ACT government but that is not what the people of Canberra think. That is not what the people of Canberra think. Between 73 per cent and 95 per cent of residents surveyed support each of the 10 plans outlined in the survey based on the government’s action plan 2. Eight of the 10 plans tested in the survey enjoyed the support of more than 80 per cent of those surveyed.
Interestingly, when asked about the government initiatives respondents were aware of, solar farms came out at the top of the list. Fifty per cent of respondents nominated those projects, with the other projects including household solar, wind farms and incentives for green power.
These are very strong and encouraging survey results. They have been done on a scientific basis, on a representative sample basis. What they tell us is that contrary to the claims from those opposite, this government does have very strong support from the Canberra community to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions and to take proactive action to implement policies that will help make our city a more sustainable city.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: Minister, given that your score for each of the government’s initiatives in AP2 was extremely high, what are some of these initiatives?
MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Gentleman for his supplementary. Yes, the survey highlights that Canberrans support a range of measures as outlined in action plan 2. We know that 63 per cent of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the use of stationary energy, predominantly the use of electricity and gas in buildings, and a further 22 per cent come from the use of transport fuels. So action plan 2 focuses overwhelmingly on these two key areas of emissions reduction.
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