Page 3451 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 22 October 2014
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Energy—renewable
MS LAWDER: My question is to the Minister for Community Services. Minister, in the Community Services Directorate 2013-14 annual report, in section B.4, under “ecologically sustainable development”, it covers the action taken to reduce the carbon footprint of the department. On page 105 it shows that the renewable energy used by the Community Services Directorate decreased to zero kilowatt hours in 2013-14. This has decreased from more than 180,000 kilowatt hours in 2010-11. Minister, why has the Community Services Directorate stopped using electricity from renewable sources when the government is advocating such ambitious renewable energy targets for the rest of the territory?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Lawder for her question. I am unaware at this time of the details behind the reason for the change from those renewable energies. I understand the government has a procurement process in relation to electricity and electricity purchase, but I am happy to investigate that and come back to you.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Minister, is the Community Services Directorate using electricity from renewable sources this financial year?
MR GENTLEMAN: I will have to take that one on notice too. I am unaware of how much electricity is being used either from renewable sources or from coal-fired sources. But I will come back to the member on that question.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, if your directorate is not utilising renewable energy, why is it not leading by example, given that the government is forcing this upon the rest of the ACT?
MR GENTLEMAN: Thank you, Mr Wall, for the question. It is my view that we should be certainly using as much renewable energy as we can. I will certainly investigate that and come back to you with the answer.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, if your directorate is not pulling its weight—
MADAM SPEAKER: Preamble.
MR WALL: in terms of using renewable energy, does this place an additional burden on the small businesses and households of Canberrans to pull their weight?
MR GENTLEMAN: No.
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