Page 2676 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 15 August 2017
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MADAM ACTING SPEAKER: I have to rule that out of order. This was an issue about compliance and enforcement, and I do not think it is directly related.
MR STEEL: The minister mentioned the waste sustainability strategy, of which this would be a part.
MADAM ACTING SPEAKER: Okay, I will allow the question.
MS FITZHARRIS: Thank you, Mr Steel; indeed the container deposit scheme is just another component of the waste feasibility study. The original question went to recycling, and the entire point of the waste feasibility study was to increase our levels of recycling, to reduce the production of waste in the first place, and, for the waste that the city does produce, to make sure that we achieve even greater recycling rates. As has been said throughout the life of the study, many opportunities have presented themselves to the ACT government over the life of the study. A key feature of the waste feasibility study has been to take those opportunities when they present themselves.
One such opportunity was the introduction of a container deposit scheme in the ACT. Knowing, of course, that New South Wales will be starting a container deposit scheme later this year, the ACT Labor government announced last year its intention to commit to a container deposit scheme. We took that commitment to the election and we look forward to delivering that early in 2018.
Government—technology investments
MS ORR: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, can you please update the Assembly on the recent investment announcements in the ACT?
MR BARR: I am very pleased to advise the Assembly that within the past 24 hours we have had two very significant announcements of investment in our city, coming from national and international institutions. Firstly, Microsoft and the Canberra Data Centres have announced a partnership to deliver a high-scale cloud out of a series of Canberra-owned and operated data centres in Fyshwick and Hume; a significant expansion of their physical presence. Secondly, I have just had the pleasure of joining the University of New South Wales Canberra to announce that the ACT government will be working with the university to build a major new campus on the eastern edge of our city.
These two announcements in the last 24 hours are big statements of confidence in our city. They are city-building investments of the utmost importance and quality. These are investments that do not come by accident. They come from the ACT government working closely with a number of national and international industry partners to deliver on this city’s potential.
We have set our efforts and our focus on attracting national and international investment into our city. These are two further practical examples of the government delivering on its intent to rapidly grow our city’s higher education sector. We will continue to support all the higher education institutions in our city.
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