Page 2799 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 September 2014
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The RET has also helped create a significant renewable energy industry in Australia that has no doubt generated jobs and promoted much needed investment in regional communities and has incentivised research. It has even managed to reduce wholesale electricity prices, a point that is conceded by its critics. Today’s motion seeks a move back in this direction.
We have been saddened to reflect on the recent history of emission reduction policies at the national level. These policies initially commenced with bipartisan support as well as the support of all Australian state and territory governments. Both the major parties took emission trading to the national election in 2007, and both supported the current RET.
This motion calls on the commonwealth to commit to supporting certainty for investment in renewable energy. It needs to show the type of leadership that the Canberra community has shown and continues to show in taking strong action against climate change and making the steps to transition to a carbon-free economy.
The ACT will benefit from becoming an internationally recognised centre for renewable energy innovation and investment. By doing this, the territory will reinforce its knowledge economy status, and stands to share in the estimated $7 trillion that is forecast to be invested in renewable energy globally over the coming decade. I thank Dr Bourke for bringing this motion to the Assembly today.
Question put:
That the amendment be agreed to.
The Assembly voted—
|
Ayes 6 |
Noes 7 | ||
|
Mr Doszpot |
Mr Smyth |
Mr Barr |
Ms Gallagher |
|
Mrs Dunne |
Mr Wall |
Dr Bourke |
Mr Gentleman |
|
Mr Hanson |
Ms Burch |
Mr Rattenbury | |
|
Ms Lawder |
Mr Corbell | ||
Question so resolved in the negative.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Housing and Minister for Tourism and Events) (12.05): I thank Dr Bourke for bringing this motion forward today. As we have seen this morning from the contributions of my colleagues, the territory government has a very strong commitment to renewable energy. To illustrate this I would like to discuss a few examples of how various elements of the government are giving effect to this commitment.
In regard to land development, in the new suburbs of Wright and Bonner a trial was undertaken of the introduction of rebates as an incentive for residents to install solar hot-water systems. This was followed with a trial of mandating solar hot-water
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