Page 2634 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 2 July 2008
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clause was still there. There is no doubt that, had we been more on the ball, we would have moved these amendments elsewhere. I think this is something for another day.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (5.22): As I outlined in my comments on Dr Foskey’s third amendment regarding renewable energy electricity supply targets, the government will not be supporting this amendment as the targets outlined within this amendment fall outside the scope of the bill.
Mrs Dunne: Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek your direction. Dr Foskey’s amendment No 16 relates to a clause which was not introduced into the bill. With all the best will in the world, I would really like to support renewable energy supply targets, but that amendment seems to have lapsed. I seek your guidance on that.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: My ruling is that Dr Foskey is entitled to move that amendment. It will all come out in the wash shortly.
Amendment negatived.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (5.23): I move amendment No 17 circulated in my name [see schedule 1 at page 2655].
This amendment removes the definition of “renewable energy generator”, which is no longer required.
Amendment agreed to.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (5.24): I move amendment No 17 circulated in my name. [see schedule 2 at page 2660].
This deals with the big list. This amendment is to extend the range of energy source options that can be included under the feed-in tariffs. We believe that the government should consider promoting all the energy sources listed in my amendment and extending the feed-in tariff bill to include small-scale hydro-electricity, solar thermal, geothermal hot dry rock, biomass, biogas and waste heat recovery.
The bill as it stands includes a clause whereby the minister can add energy sources as needed, but I believe that we need to promote, not just accept, renewable energy sources from the outset. Some figures show that solar photovoltaics are currently six times more expensive per unit of energy generated and carbon emissions saved than other renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, geothermal, landfill gas and biogas sources, and about two to three times more expensive than existing solar thermal.
At present market prices, wind, geothermal and hydro are the most viable and significant renewable energy sources for large-scale, cost-effective measures. There is currently no provision in this bill for geothermal or small-scale hydro. The expansion of the photovoltaic industry, driven by schemes such as this, should see costs reduce dramatically over the next few years.
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