Page 4594 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009

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of research funding, and oversee the implementation of the ACT Health research policy and guidelines for research practice; provide advice to ACT Health on health and medical research policy issues; and report on research activity within ACT Health to the ACT Health portfolio executive quarterly and coordinate reporting on research activity and funding in the ACT Health annual report.

Research information will continue to be used to assist ACT Health in the development of policies and interventions to improve health outcomes for people living in the ACT and the surrounding region. I thank the former standing committee for its examination of health science in the ACT.

Papers

Mr Corbell presented the following papers:

Electoral Act, pursuant to subsection 10A(2)—Report on the ACT Legislative Assembly Election 2008, dated 16 September 2009.

Civil Law (Wrongs) Act, pursuant to subsection 4.56(3) of Schedule 4—Professional Standards Councils—Annual Report 2008-2009.

Supplementary answers to questions without notice

Energy and water efficiency programs

MR CORBELL: Madam Assistant Speaker Le Couteur, with your indulgence, I take the opportunity now to answer two questions I took on notice during question time today. Firstly, Madam Assistant Speaker, you asked me what the situation was with the $150 rebate on rainwater tanks without internal plumbing. I can advise you and the Assembly that I have asked the Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of providing a rebate on rainwater tanks that are not plumbed into fixtures inside the home.

As you would be aware, Madam Assistant Speaker, the existing rainwater tank rebate is only available for rainwater tanks that are internally plumbed into fixtures such as washing machines and toilets inside the home. This criterion was established to maximise the benefits in terms of water saving and stormwater protection. These maximised savings are generated when the tank water is used for internal purposes, such as toilet flushing and clothes washing, as well as for garden watering. This provides a way for tank water to replace mains water all year round, internally during cooler months when the garden does not need much water, and outside in the garden as well, in warmer months, thereby increasing the amount of rainwater that can be harvested and used. However, on completion of the feasibility assessment of providing a rebate on rainwater tanks that are not plumbed into fixtures inside the home, I will make an announcement on the suitability of providing a rebate for these tanks.

You also asked me, Madam Assistant Speaker, during question time, how many income-tested households will benefit from the new programs being provided by my department. I am advised by my department that we are currently in the process of developing four new programs that will provide rebates for low income households in


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