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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (4 September) . . Page.. 2938 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

Indications now are that gas-fired generation has lost market share to coal generation in the new integrated market. Emissions performance appears to be headed in the wrong direction, largely because Victorian brown coal generators, including Yallourn Energy, have increased their market share.

Mr Speaker, this Government has failed to follow an Assembly direction made 11 months ago to set targets for reducing the ACT's greenhouse gas emissions, and it has failed to come up with any initiatives which would stimulate reductions in the demand for energy from non-renewable resources. The only exceptions to this appalling record have been decisions taken by ACTEW to back electricity production from methane escaping from landfill and to develop a green power option for ACT consumers, although I note that these came only after months of pressure from the Greens. I note in the press this morning a report of the sale of electricity by ACTEW to the Commonwealth. I was heartened by one line in that report:

... the Minister for Administrative Services, David Jull, said Actew Energy would also provide a range of services to increase the effectiveness of energy management in the buildings concerned.

My sincere hope is that that line signals a shift in ACTEW Energy's mission statement from electricity seller to energy service provider. That is what we have been calling for and how we want to see ACTEW grow and develop and prosper in the coming years. It is also ironic that the Government distributed to ACT households a booklet with the Minister's picture inside the cover telling householders what they should do to cut energy use while, at the macro level, the local and Federal governments have failed to show any leadership.

Not only have the Federal Government failed to show leadership; they have used flawed research and economic models to attempt to justify their appalling stance. I am reminded again of the question asked in this place when we were apologising to the Aboriginal people. I think it was Mr Moore who asked it. "I wonder what issues future generations will condemn us for", he said. They will indeed condemn the Federal Government stance on greenhouse. In frustration at the Government's inaction, I seek - - -

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I do not disagree with some of what Ms Tucker says; but I do think that, on a matter of public importance which refers to "The need for the ACT Government to increase action to reduce the ACT's greenhouse gas emissions", the relevance of the Federal Government's performance is a little bit strained.

Mr Corbell: Mr Speaker, on that point of order: It is quite clear that the ACT Government, being a Liberal government, have very clear and direct links with the policies of the Federal Liberal Government, and they have some responsibility at national forums to ensure that the views of the ACT community on greenhouse gases are put. Because of that relationship, Ms Tucker's comments on the Federal Government's approach are in order. The ACT cannot be viewed in isolation when it comes to greenhouse gases. For that reason, the comments are in order.

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