Page 4803 - Week 15 - Thursday, 8 December 1994
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MR WOOD: Mr Lamont says, "Hear, hear", but he is doing more than that. He is doing a great deal of work to do that. The ACT greenhouse strategy, which was released in May last year, established an agreed local approach to dealing with emissions. Further, members here will recall that in March this year I released a report which detailed our response to the national greenhouse response strategy. Also, I attended the Prime Minister's round table on ecologically sustainable development in June this year to discuss ESD and greenhouse issues with peak national environmental, business and industry organisations. At that meeting I provided a progress report.
Examples of major initiatives include the house energy efficiency rating scheme, a unique scheme, which was released last August, and ACTEW's energy efficiency display homes. I was also able to report there that through the ecoworkplace scheme the Government is encouraging its employees to practise end use energy efficiency by a whole range of very effective measures. Since then a study has been commissioned to investigate the potential for cogenerated heat and power at Woden Valley Hospital, and this may also have applications in other large government buildings. I understand that the technology for local power generation of this nature is available and can lead to significant energy use efficiencies.
In the transport sector, through Mr Lamont, the Government has been pursuing a range of initiatives within its transport strategy designed to assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through reducing the use of private vehicles. These include the greater use of express services for ACTION buses, together with the ongoing trial of alternative fuels, the future public transport options study process, and the continuing development of on- and off-road cycling facilities.
Mr De Domenico: There are fewer people using ACTION buses now than a year ago.
Mr Lamont: That is a liar.
MR WOOD: However, despite its record of achievement, the Government will not become complacent in its greenhouse response.
Mr De Domenico: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, albeit through an interjection of mine, I just heard - - -
Ms Follett: Yes. Why do you not just sit down and keep quiet and no-one will offend you?
Mr De Domenico: I am not offended, Madam Speaker.
Ms Follett: Well, why are you jumping up, you idiot?
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
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