House debates

Wednesday, 1 November 2006

Questions to the Speaker

Department of Parliamentary Services: Annual Report

3:09 pm

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I refer you to page 99 of the Department of Parliamentary Service’s annual report for the financial year 2005-06. Can you confirm the following with respect to Parliament House: (1) the water consumption target was a five per cent reduction over three years, but consumption last year jumped by 16 per cent; (2) the energy consumption target was a one per cent reduction over three years, but consumption jumped by 5.8 per cent last year; and (3) the greenhouse gas emissions target for this building was a 1.5 per cent reduction last year, but emissions jumped 4.6 per cent?

Government Members:

Government members interjecting

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I know that those opposite are terribly opposed to targets, but targets about these environmental considerations have been set.

Photo of Wilson TuckeyWilson Tuckey (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Tuckey interjecting

Photo of David HawkerDavid Hawker (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! The member for O’Connor is warned! The member for Grayndler is raising a serious question and he will be heard.

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Could I ask you to investigate the matter and report back to the House on how this parliament can show leadership in achieving the targets which have been set?

Photo of David HawkerDavid Hawker (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the member for Grayndler for his question. Clearly, it is a very detailed question, and I am very happy to make further investigations and report back as appropriate.