John Madigan (Victoria, Democratic Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Xenophon, move:

That the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Excessive Noise from Wind Farms) Bill 2012 be referred to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 29 November 2012.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Greens will not be blocking this reference of a private member's bill to a committee because it has not been to a committee before, but I wanted to say that I think this obsession that Senators Madigan and Xenophon have in opposing wind energy across Australia is becoming a burden on the time of the Senate, frankly, because the committee that was set up to look at this previously looked at it in great detail—in terms of the issue not the actual bill—and the rollout of wind across Australia is making a huge difference in reducing the wholesale price of energy. If there was a real concern about health impacts from generators then health impacts from coal-fired generators are proven impacts as opposed to this continued campaign against the rollout of wind.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make short statement.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just want to put on the record that I do not oppose wind energy per se; I do have some concerns in relation to their location and the possible health effects. This committee process will, I hope, explore that in a forensic and balanced way that will allow both sides of view to be articulated in the committee process. I want to assure Senator Milne that I support renewable energy—I am a particularly strong proponent of geothermal energy—but I think there are some issues arising out of the location of wind farms in some locations that can have an impact.

Question agreed to.