[Greens-Media] Green win over Government inaction

[Burmester, Tom]

Caroline Le Couteur MLA
ACT Greens 
 
26th August 2009

Green win over Government inaction 

The ACT Greens' Hot Water Bill passed in part today, after the Government rejected the bill completely, and the Liberals made amendments to reduce its scope.

"The Greens were elected to take action on climate change. That's what this bill does. The other parties should have supported it fully and turned their green words into action, and follow Queensland, SA and WA who have already passed similar legislation," Greens Planning spokesperson Caroline Le Couteur said today.

"We are disappointed the full bill wasn't passed, but we at least passed laws to ensure all hot water systems for new houses must be more efficient."  

"We will keep pressuring the Government to implement all the initiatives in our bill, which would have phased out inefficient hot water systems in all houses'," Ms Le Couteur said.  

"These initiatives would significantly reduce household energy costs, as well as reduce greenhouse gases. They're a win-win. But the Government was too concerned with politics to support them and could offer no valid reason to vote against it, and the Liberal Party watered them down significantly".  

"I am amazed by the Government's refusal to support anything Green. One minute it argues we are doing the wrong thing and the next minute it says it will do it anyway! It's a political performance that is all for show and I trust that Canberra people are wise to that."

"There are no guarantees that the Government will use the COAG process to implement the energy efficiency initiatives we need - none of these timelines or details are guaranteed."

"Mr Barr's non-cooperation this week has shown that he is yet to come to terms with the end of majority government," Ms Le Couteur said.

The Greens' original Bill also won support from energy experts such as Sustainability Advice Team Managing Director, Dr Hugh Saddler, who said: 

"The changes proposed by this Bill could make significant energy savings for Canberra houses. Canberra has a large proportion of houses with gas which still use electric hot water heaters. Converting these houses to efficient hot water systems when the existing system has to be replaced is the low hanging fruit, in terms of lowest cost and highest energy savings. This is particularly prevalent in rental houses, and passing this Bill could significantly reduce energy bills for low income renters." 
  
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