Page 267 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 7 March 2007
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Greenhouse Challenge program since the mid-1990s and I can attest to the enormous success they have had in the hotel sector. There were massive savings generated for hotels. It was done in a no-regrets fashion. There were illustrations that in many hotels there was enormous wastage—for example, in kitchens, with salamanders being left on throughout the day and gas being wasted, and with different practices in lighting in car parks and the like. All of these things could be addressed without disturbing the amenity of the hotel. Most people have seen the pretty much stock standard line saying to hang your towels up if you do not want them replaced.
But a vast amount more has occurred, and it was possible only because of the greenhouse program established by the federal government in the mid-1990s. That program has been embraced by industry. It has avoided the necessity for the job losses that people sometimes see as an inevitable consequence of environmental reform. It ensured that the amenity of people utilising those facilities throughout the country was not disturbed in a fashion that they would find uncomfortable, but at the same time it tackled important issues related to energy.
There was one hotel in Darwin that had an energy bill of a million dollars a year, because of airconditioning and the tough climate in which they operate. These are major cost issues for businesses. If governments can develop improvements through partnerships, they should be embraced—not criticised as happened when I announced the submission last year.
Mr Hargreaves: Was Brian Burke involved with the AHA initiative?
MR MULCAHY: It was an AHA program, and it was a very successful one. It was supported by the Australian government.
Mr Hargreaves: Did Brian Burke advise on it?
MR MULCAHY: No. I have never met Mr Burke, I am happy to say.
Mr Hargreaves: Is that right?
MR MULCAHY: I’ve never had lunch with him.
Mr Corbell: I bet you are.
MR MULCAHY: And I have never had any dealings with him.
Mr Hargreaves: That is not what the paper says.
MR MULCAHY: Not me. No.
Mr Hargreaves: The paper says the AHA was one of his clients.
MR MULCAHY: Not me. Not me.
Mr Barr: Given the edict, Mr Mulcahy, I bet you are.
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