Page 3043 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 23 September 2014
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Before they get on their high horse about that, they should remember what they themselves promised in 2008. Remember that? I will just show it to you again. I know you do not like to remember it, but I keep a copy handy. Of course we should remember that there was their commitment to deliver solar Canberra—remember that:
Our vision is to establish a renewable energy centre of excellence—the ACT Renewable Energy Park—
With? Wait for it:
with a large scale solar plant at its heart.
So let us not forget what the Liberals proposed back in 2008. There it is, 10 October 2008.
We made a commitment, as government in 2008, to deliver large-scale solar. We have done that and we are investing in wind, we are investing in solar with storage, we are investing in community solar as we make that transition to a low-carbon future.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Minister, can you tell us more about the environmental benefits from developing wind farms?
MR CORBELL: Right around the world conversations are happening about the importance of making a transition to a low-carbon future. Right now, right around the world, that is happening. The focus is on the environmental benefits and, of course, the social and economic benefits of doing so. There is a meeting right now in New York of leaders from over 60 nations around the world. Unfortunately, our Prime Minister is not going, but of course we should not be surprised.
The benefits of investing in wind energy generation for our city environmentally are significant. There are 65,000 Canberra homes—one in two Canberra homes—that can meet their greenhouse gas emissions through large-scale wind energy generation. This is a very important step forward.
Today, what we have heard from other places around the country confirms the ACT’s approach. South Australia have just confirmed that they want to get 50 per cent of their electricity needs from wind generation over the next six to seven years. That is a really significant development by another large jurisdiction in Australia. It confirms the trend nationally and globally towards making a shift to a low-carbon future.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR CORBELL: Those opposite can continue to laugh and joke about it, but there are billion-dollar industries emerging around the world in these technologies, and why should we not be part of it? (Time expired.)
Ms Gallagher: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
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