Page 3084 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 16 September 2015
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The fund operates as a revolving loan facility for projects at existing non-residential sites and energy-using assets. The fund has been used for a broad range of measures—in fact, there have been 18 government projects funded to date—with a total of $6.5 million worth of loans. Six of these projects were established in 2014-15. $2.4 million worth of loans have already been repaid and those funds have subsequently been able to be lent for further projects in other parts of government. In 2014-15, the 18 projects that have been supported through the fund’s operation have made a saving of over 7,400 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Large-scale LED lighting projects have been installed in more than 90 government buildings and schools, achieving an estimated cost saving of $1.3 million each year. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, can you outline how the government is supporting households to increase energy efficiency, reduce emissions and save money?
MADAM SPEAKER: Before I call the minister, I point out that the initial question was to the Minister for Health. It is quite clear that these questions cover the minister’s portfolio responsibility, but not as Minister for Health. The first question may have, but the supplementary questions do not. I would ask members to be more attentive to this. The question is clearly in order and it is clearly appropriately directed, but members should be more careful about these things.
MR CORBELL: I thank Ms Porter for her question because the issue of energy efficiency is very important for Canberrans. That is why this government has legislated for the energy efficiency improvement scheme and why we introduced that legislation in January 2013, which puts requirements on ACT electricity retailers to provide energy-saving services to their customers. Here in the ACT that predominantly means, for residential customers at least, ActewAGL.
Mr Hanson: On a point of order, Madam Speaker, regarding your earlier ruling on talking about energy efficiency and households as the Minister for Health. I am a little confused, under the administrative arrangements, how it is that we have a situation where it is in order for the Minister for Health, when answering a question on health, to talk about energy efficiency in households.
MADAM SPEAKER: On the point of order—
Dr Bourke interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: I do not need assistance, Dr Bourke. When the first question was asked, I called Mr Corbell as the Minister for Health and Minister for the Environment because it was clear that the question, although Mr Corbell as the Minister for Health may have had an interest in it, was about an environment program. I picked up early in the piece that the question was not entirely appropriately directed. The questions are directed to the right person. When Dr Bourke asked the first question it probably should have been directed to the Minister for the Environment. I called Mr Corbell as the Minister for the Environment.
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