Page 3728 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 18 September 2018
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technologies. Sustainable technologies which were not very long ago hugely uncompetitive are increasingly the only sensible economic choice for the future, even ignoring their environmental benefits.
Taking climate-friendly action also raises significant business opportunities for the ACT. The clean economy is the future, and we can either participate in it or fall behind. The government is already taking steps to take advantage of this shift. For example, we are committed to supporting new and innovative businesses in the zero emission vehicle sector to maximise job creation and economic development in the ACT. This Assembly should be lauded for the work that it has done to date to ensure that the ACT is tackling climate change.
I began this speech by highlighting some of the good work that has been done already in this space, whether it be in relation to zero emission vehicles or our electricity supply. However, the challenge does not stop there. We need to do more and we need to do it more quickly.
The ACT is a real leader in tackling climate change. Recently we have seen the commonwealth government fail to provide leadership on climate change, most recently with its disappointing removal of emission reduction targets, which were already inadequate. But they were subsequently completely removed from the national energy guarantee. My thoughts on this topic are well known and I do not intend to reprosecute them today.
Nevertheless, the ACT has a history of stepping up and providing a benchmark for others. It is up to us to make sure that we continue to do so in this climate. By bringing forward our net zero emissions target date to 2045, this bill is a key piece of the puzzle in ensuring that we do exactly that. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Harrison school—asbestos
Debate resumed.
MS LEE (Kurrajong) (5.03): This morning after 11 the minister for education sought leave to make a statement about the handling of asbestos at Harrison School. Why the minister decided to thumb her nose at standing order 74, which requires that ministerial statements be circulated two hours prior to the commencement of the sitting day, and why the minister decided to make this statement by stealth, flies directly in the face of her supposed act of transparency in updating the Canberra community on this serious issue.
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