Andrew Leigh (Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to commend Amaroo School in my electorate, which has installed the ACT's largest rooftop solar system. More than 600 kilowatts of power will be fed into the ACT's electricity grid from the roofs of Amaroo School. Almost 2,000 large solar panels have been installed by solar company Solar Choice, powering the equivalent of about 175 Canberra houses. The 20-year lease will generate $30,000 for Amaroo School and will also inspire young students at Amaroo to recognise the benefits of renewable energy. I pay tribute to ACT Environment Minister Simon Corbell and Education Minister Joy Burch. As Ms Burch notes, this ensures that sustainability is 'lived and breathed' in Canberra's public schools. Amaroo School Principal Julie Cooper has noted that the school not only has a solar array on the roof but also is home to a wind turbine.

This action in embracing renewables stands in contrast, unfortunately, to the Abbott-Turnbull government, which has been opposed to wind farms and boasted of cutting Australia's Renewable Energy Target. It is ironic that Saudi Arabia, so historically reliant on oil, has now said it plans to become 'a global power in solar and wind energy'. Let's hope the Abbott-Turnbull government can see the future and embrace renewables as Amaroo School has done.