Page 1274 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 11 April 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
We are also working closely with industry and research partners on an $8 million hydrogen demonstration project right here in the ACT, with a potential focus on grid integration, and a zero emissions vehicle trial. By continuing to provide a supportive and technology-neutral environment for businesses and researchers, we can further develop a renewable ecosystem that attracts and retains the best minds and most innovative businesses in the territory, to help us strengthen our ambitious renewable energy agenda and maintain leadership in this field, with all the benefits that I have reflected on in my remarks today.
In that context, I thank Ms Orr for putting this motion forward. She has touched on a number of really important points, including the necessity for climate action; the development of the ACT’s 100 per cent renewal energy policy and the benefits that have flowed from that for the whole community; and the exciting developments in the space of the virtual power plant and all of the technology and innovations we have seen here, both driven by government policy and also flowing from government policy driven by the entrepreneurs, the innovators, the thought leaders and the industry players in this city. It is an exciting time for energy policy in Canberra. I am pleased to support the activities that Ms Orr has called on the government to do. There is no doubt that I, as the responsible minister in this space, and the whole cabinet are committed to continuing to drive forward in this space.
Turning to point (4) of Ms Orr’s motion, on behalf of the ACT Greens, let me say that we reaffirm our commitment to reaching the 100 per cent renewable electricity target by 2020. I can assure the Assembly that the ACT government is well on track to achieve that. The contracts have been signed. Many of the generators have already been built. Those that are still to come are well on track. I look forward to the day that the ACT is powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity.
MS ORR (Yerrabi) (3.36), in reply: I thank my colleagues for their contributions to the debate. It has been quite good. Unfortunately, we had one speaker who, in what has been a largely positive and encouraging debate, was perhaps not as positive and encouraging as they could be.
I would like to point out that this motion is not simply talking about what we are already doing; it is reaffirming a commitment to that through exploring new ways to achieve it. The minister, speaking just now, very eloquently expressed the ways that we can get really good social savings in the form of cheaper bills as well as good environmental outcomes. I touched on it, and other people did as well.
Given the opportunity to call on this project to show the potential to save consumers, it is disappointing that some people just complained. But I would like to thank my colleagues for doing that. I would also like to thank my colleagues who acknowledged the impacts that climate change has. We had a few speakers who did not even mention that in their speeches. Climate change is a very real occurrence. It definitely has impacts for Canberra, and we need to take action because the window of opportunity for addressing these issues is closing and there will be significant effects for this city.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video