Page 2802 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 September 2014
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The territory government is also a very proud supporter of National ICT Australia. NICTA’s Canberra laboratory is teaming up with solar energy experts from the ANU, ActewAGL and local ACT companies Armada solar and LAROS Technologies to develop ways of predicting the expected power output from rooftop solar energy systems.Finally, in another area of my portfolios, territory venues such as GIO Stadium, Stromlo Forest Park and Exhibition Park are taking a range of measures to become more environmentally sustainable as venues. This includes the installation of solar panels to help power the lights at GIO Stadium, Biolytix sewage treatment at Stromlo Forest Park and water harvesting at Exhibition Park.
As you can see, Madam Assistant Speaker Lawder, across the ACT government, in areas of business development, in venue management and operations, the government has in place a range of programs and initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to renewable energy. It is very pleasing to see the success of ACT businesses in taking this research and innovation nationally and internationally, and long may it continue.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Disability, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Racing and Gaming, Minister for Women and Minister for the Arts) (12.15): I too rise in support of Dr Bourke’s motion today. As Dr Bourke’s motion points out, Canberra is a national hub and, indeed, an international hub for renewable energy. I am proud to be part of a government that has prioritised renewable energy. Indeed, I believe that is the only responsible thing a government can do given the challenges that climate change presents us. The government knows that the science of climate change is a fact. It is beyond a debating point. We know that action must be taken at every level of government to confront the challenge, and many speakers here this morning have gone to those points.
Madam Assistant Speaker, I too join with others who have spoken on the ambitious targets that we have set here because we know it is the right thing to do. This stands in stark contrast to the conservative Liberal governments that we have. They have done all they can not only to trash environmental sustainability but also to stand in the way of innovative Australian businesses and others who are keen to invest. The community agrees with the government’s approach to renewable energy. As Dr Bourke has outlined, and as I think Mr Gentleman has said, more than 80 per cent of the community support our approach to addressing climate change.
Madam Assistant Speaker, our schools are playing their part to ensure that they operate in a carbon constrained world. In 2011 the ACT entered the national solar schools program to install solar panels. As I mentioned this morning, all our schools now have solar panels and smart meters. This is the first jurisdiction to do so. The schools benefit from this. The meters not only allow the schools’ leadership to monitor and plan their energy use but they are also integrated into the curriculum. This provides students with access to real-time data and information that they can use to learn about not simply the environment but photovoltaics and energy efficiency and building design.
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