Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have some additional information in relation to a question asked of me by Senator Ludlam in the last session, on 27 October, which I seek leave to incorporate.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR SENATE HANSARD FOR A QUESTION ON NOTICE TAKEN BY THE MINISTER REPRESENTING THE MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY ON 27 OCTOBER 2010

Mr President, I seek leave for additional information provided to me by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Hon Greg Combet, to be incorporated into Hansard.

On 27 October 2010, Senator Ludlam asked me to verify his estimate that 80 million tonnes of emissions will arise as a result of new plants and projects proposed in WA between now and 2016.

In asking his question, Senator Ludlam referred to proposed gas plants, coal-fired power stations and other developments in WA.

Question—taken on notice

Senator Ludlam—Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Minister, if you are not aware—and I guess I would expect you would not have it with you—of the precise proposed emissions coming from these new plants by 2016, would you take on notice the question of whether our estimate of around 80 million tonnes by 2016 is correct?

Senator Wong —In relation to the first, I am happy to take that on notice and refer that question to Minister Combet.

Answer

In answering Senator Ludlam’s question, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has supplied the following answer:

As Senator Ludlam is no doubt aware, emissions estimates are highly sensitive to assumptions about which projects go ahead, their emissions intensity and their start dates—all assumptions that are subject to significant uncertainty.

It is not possible to verify Senator Ludlam’s estimate without knowing the exact projects and the assumptions he has included in his estimate.