Andrew Barr had his wrist slapped yesterday for not fronting estimates committees when asked to (the ABC has details).
But he’s certainly revelling in seeing off Green plans to get electric hot water systems banned in the ACT:
- The main problems with the Greens Party’s original ill-conceived legislation include:
· A lack of realisation that electric water heaters are highly efficient and that it is the source of power rather than its use in this case which generates greenhouse emissions. The Greens Party plan would see more gas fired heaters used which are less energy and less water efficient
· A lack of consultation. Its clear there has been little or no consultation with industry. With the Greens Party pushing for this ban to take effect in 2009, there would not be time or the opportunity for people who may have pre-ordered electric hot water heaters for houses yet to be constructed to make other arrangements or seek refunds. Significant consultation with industry would be needed, and a longer lead-in time may be required.
· A lack of ability to drive efficiency of the water heater system as a whole. The Greens Party scheme refers to ‘hot water systems’ however it largely failed to recognise that the whole system needs to be considered including pipes and outlets in addition to the water heater itself.
Andrew has un-kindly offered to send the Greens’ proposal off to a committee investigation where they can examine the triple bottom line impacts of their proposal and reveal who they consulted with before introducing their legislation.