Ministerial Statement - It's a gas

Mr Speaker, the State Government’s new gas rebate scheme is a win for the environment and a win for Queenslanders.

The $4 million scheme will help households convert certain electrical appliances to gas.

I joined the Premier on Saturday to announce the new gas rebate scheme for Queenslanders.

It was one component of an energy-charged weekend of major policy announcements – all designed to deliver a clean energy future for Queensland.

Mr Speaker, we owe it to our future generations to act now.

Up to 7,500 households that meet the criteria will be eligible for a rebate of $500 to help with the installation of gas.

This is a major initiative – an important one - and I want to acknowledge the efforts of the gas industry in supporting it.

It fulfils an election commitment by the State Government.

Eligibility for the rebate will apply from the very day we announced our commitment to the people of Queensland – 7 September 2006.

The gas rebate scheme will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions at a household level by around 15,000 tonnes over the next three years.

That’s equivalent to taking 3,500 cars off the road.

Gas now provides more than 2,000 megawatts of the state’s electricity generating capacity.

There’s a further 1700 MW of gas-fired generating capacity on the drawing board, due in no small part to our world-leading 13% gas scheme which requires retailers and other large electricity users to source at least 13% of their power from gas-fired generation.

Gas has only half the carbon dioxide emissions than that of electricity from coal-fired power stations.

And under the new ClimateSmart 2050 policy launched by the Premier on Sunday, we will increase our gas scheme to 18% by 2020.

LPG and gas generally, are destined to play a significant role in helping to meet the energy needs of our rapidly-growing population.

The gas rebate scheme and our 13% gas scheme mean that households and big business can also play a significant role by working in partnership with the state government in helping to meet the challenges of climate change.