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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (4 November) . . Page.. 3517 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

I think, Mr Speaker, that this provides a great opportunity for Canberra. If we have the most advanced technology systems in Canberra going to people's houses, I think we will see even more enthusiasm than we currently have in Canberra for technology and the advantages it brings. We already have, on my understanding, the highest per capita rate for the use of computers and the highest per capita rate of connection to the Internet in Australia. That probably puts us amongst the highest rates in the world as well. It seems to me, Mr Speaker, that by upgrading this technology we have significant advantage in terms of the saleability of our education systems and our understanding of technology in this Territory.

Mr Speaker, I am very enthusiastic about this report. I am very enthusiastic that ACTEW play a role and own a network that would prevent having a series of different companies come down the backyards and provide four or five strands of cable, all of which are there really to do the same job. We can still have competition if we have a single network, just as we do with electricity. I think this is a very positive move, and I commend the report to the Assembly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MR MOORE (12.00): Mr Speaker, I present Report No. 35 of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment entitled "Report on the Inquiry into the Environment Protection Bill 1997 and the Environment Protection (Consequential Provisions) Bill 1997", together with a copy of the extracts of the minutes of proceedings. This report was provided to you, Mr Speaker, for circulation on Wednesday, 29 October 1997. I move:

That the report be noted.

Mr Speaker, in presenting Report No. 35 of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment I must say that I am pleased that the committee has been able to examine this complex and groundbreaking legislation in just three months and to deliver a unanimous report. That does not mean to say that on every issue every member was in agreement. What it means is that we were prepared to accept compromises about the way we dealt with issues. Indeed, Mr Speaker, Ms Horodny has made some additional comments. Many of her additional comments encompass things that I do not disagree with, and I believe that is probably true of some of the other members; but, in seeking to find the best compromise in dealing with the issues, we have brought about a unanimous report.

I take this opportunity to say to the Government that, because it is a unanimous report, I would be expecting the recommendations of this committee to be taken up and implemented. There would have to be a very good reason to persuade us all that we had gone down the wrong track in order to get us to change our view. Mr Speaker, in a nutshell, this report is about a compromise on a most complex and groundbreaking piece of legislation of which the Government can rightly be very proud. I also am very proud to have taken a part in this legislation.

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