Page 3669 - Week 10 - Thursday, 19 September 2019
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Overall, we are acting to ensure that households across Canberra are more energy efficient and we are supporting our entire community to be involved in our transition to a cleaner future. Passage of this bill will build on top of our government’s strong record of taking real action on climate change and supporting Canberrans in reducing cost of living pressures. Canberrans can trust that under our government we will transition to a cleaner future and deliver more equitable outcomes for every single Canberran. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (3.47): How disappointing this has been. We saw the crocodile tears from Mr Hanson and Ms Lawder in the MPI debate. Mr Coe had a chance in this debate. He had the chance to speak positively about climate action and to show that he gets it and he listens to the experts. Instead, he proved my remarks in the MPI debate. It is clear from Mr Coe’s contribution that he will undo this government’s renewable energy and climate change policies.
Mr Coe uses words like “affordability” and “reliability” when talking about renewable energy. We have heard these words before. They are from Mr Tony Abbott’s playbook, one that was used to attack renewable energy. Mr Coe had the chance in this bill to undo his alarmist stories about this government’s climate change strategy, and he did not. The Canberra Liberals do not accept the science of climate change or the need to act. In this particular bill, we hear from the Canberra Liberals that they will not support needy households that need some assistance.
It is clear that those opposite are inexperienced and unfit to lead. The choice could not be more clear: a Labor government that is leading the way or an inexperienced Liberal government that does not believe in renewable energy and does not listen to experts when it comes to climate science.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Corrections and Justice Health, Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety and Minister for Mental Health) (3.49), in reply: I am pleased to be sponsoring this bill through the Assembly because this extension will clearly show the government’s commitment and capacity to effectively deliver on the actions included in our new climate strategy to deliver effective policies—policies that have won awards and policies that make a real difference for Canberra’s households. This scheme is a key delivery mechanism for the climate change strategy. The strategy sets out the next phase of the ACT’s response to climate change, taking the steps to achieve a resilient, net zero emissions Canberra by 2045.
Climate change is a major challenge and we understand the gravity of the issues we face and the need for urgent action. But we also see opportunities for our region, and the ACT is well placed to take advantage of these in becoming an international hub for climate change innovation and solutions. The climate change strategy has been developed in coordination with the planning, transport and housing strategies, which together provide an integrated approach to building a smart, prosperous and highly liveable, net zero emissions city.
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