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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 12 Hansard (11 November) . . Page.. 3928 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

Commonwealth's international negotiating position on climate change. We were the only State or Territory to do so. While the council itself agreed to the Prime Minister's position, I felt strongly that I could not do so and, therefore, objected on behalf of this Assembly.

Ms McRae: Hear, hear!

MRS CARNELL: And New South Wales agreed. The Prime Minister did outline some of the measures which will be part of an environmental package to be announced by the Commonwealth on 20 November. These measures include things such as encouraging reduction of residential emissions; reduction of industry emissions, including through expansion of the greenhouse challenge program and improving energy codes and standards; reducing transport emissions, including those from private cars; reducing energy sector emissions, including by accelerating energy market reform and encouraging use of renewables; establishing and further enhancing carbon sinks and, in particular, the encouragement of plantation establishments; and reducing emissions from the Commonwealth's own operations. I was able to place on record the ACT's excellent achievements in these areas. Mr Speaker, I am sure we are all looking forward - I must admit I am - to the Prime Minister's statement on the 20th.

The council also agreed to the formation of a high-level working group chaired by the Commonwealth to further develop the national greenhouse strategy. The aim was to finalise the strategy by the end of June 1998. COAG also gave in-principle endorsement to a head of agreement which will result in fundamental reform of Commonwealth-State roles and responsibilities for the environment. The agreement, to be finalised within the next few weeks, will include reforms such as Commonwealth responsibilities and interests to be focused on matters which are of genuine national environmental significance; significant streamlining, greater transparency and certainty in relation to environmental assessment and approval processes; rationalisation of existing Commonwealth-State arrangements for protection of places of heritage significance through the development of a cooperative national heritage places strategy; improved compliance by the Commonwealth and the States with State environment and planning legislation; and establishment of more effective and efficient delivery mechanisms and accountability regimes for national environmental programs of shared interest.

With regard to illicit drugs, the council agreed on the need for strong and concerted national action to tackle the social and economic impacts of illicit drug use on the Australian community. The ACT agreed to participate in a national illicit drug strategy founded on a partnership between governments and the broader community, including volunteer and community organisations. The strategy will be the next major phase of the current national drug strategy and will make a balanced attack on both demand and supply and on minimising the harm that drugs cause. It would come as no surprise to members that I have a significantly different approach on this issue from that of the Prime Minister. However, I was encouraged by his commitment to drug education in schools and to a broader community education and information campaign. As part of the national strategy, there will also be investigation of current sentencing practices, including new approaches to the diversion of users from gaol to treatment. I certainly welcome that study.

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