[Greens-Media] $200m - don't waste it

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT GREENS MLA DEB FOSKEY MEDIA RELEASE
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Fri 22 Feb 08

$200m - don't waste it

ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey has called for a more imaginative approach to
ACT Government investment in Canberra.

"With a revised surplus of $200m this year the ACT Government has a rare
opportunity to put Canberra on a new footing. But it needs to be bold"
Dr Foksey said today.

 "The temptation to woo voters by spending more here and there and
trimming rates and charges will be strong in an election year."

 "But there are big changes that we all need to make about how we live
on the planet, as Chief Minister Stanhope has recognised."

"Using this windfall to make an imaginative investment in infrastructure
could both make a difference to Canberra and act as a model project for
other cities."

"Putting solar hot water and better insulation in EVERY house and
building across Canberra would be such a project."

 "That sounds like a massive investment. But most of the installation
would be funded through loans that are paid for with energy savings."

 "The $200m would be start up capital to make that happen, and to ensure
that low income families got looked after first." 

 "Canberra Professor Andrew Blaker's 'Solarisation' proposal provides a
business model to deliver the project." 

"Greens Senator Christine Milne's 'EASI' Scheme  - The Energy Efficiency
Access and Savings Initiative -  provides the framework to ensure that
people who rent their homes, publicly or privately, won't miss out."

"If the ACT is going to help Australia cut greenhouse gas emissions
we've got to start reducing our energy usage now. I am suggesting a
scheme that would have an immediate impact."

 "This project would put the ACT out in front, and offer a practical
lead to the rest of the country" Dr Foskey said. 


Senator Milne's EASI Policy Initiative
www.christinemilne.org.au/files/campaigns/extras/For%20web.pdf
<www.christinemilne.org.au/files/campaigns/extras/For%20web.pdf > Prof
Blaker's Solarisation submission to the House of Representatives Inquiry
into Sustainable Cities 2025 by the Centre for Sustainable Energy
Systems www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/environ/cities/subs/sub05.pdf

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Media Contact - Roland Manderson 0412241379 
  
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