our framework meets the needs of emerging industries and, in particular, emphasises the importance of STEM skills and re-skilling for women and mature age workers. It is a privilege to outline my priorities for these portfolios today. As minister I will continue my open and collaborative style. I will seek out new partners and encourage new ideas. I will work with people to find smart ways for government, the community and business to work together to deliver for Canberrans. I look forward to working with my dedicated colleagues. We are all humbled by the faith and trust the community has put in us and the stakeholders across my portfolios and the talented and hardworking staff of the ACT public service. Above all I look forward to continuing to work with the Canberra community and, in particular, those people who put their trust in us to represent them here. I present the following paper: Ministerial priorities—Minister Fitzharris—Ministerial statement, 15 December 2016. I move: That the Assembly take note of the paper. Question resolved in the affirmative. Portfolio priorities Ministerial statement MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Renewal) (10.34): I rise today to speak on the priorities that I will be focusing on within my portfolios for this term of government. Firstly, I would like to discuss planning and urban renewal. Holding the role of minister for planning from the start of a parliamentary term gives me an opportunity to establish a strong direction, and one that recognises that the needs of our city are changing. I want to bring people back into planning. We do not undertake city planning simply for the sake of creating artistic street layouts. We plan ahead so that we have the best chance of meeting the future needs of the people who will live, work and play in our city. In developing my statement of planning intent I a lot of time attending community meetings, in workshops with groups of all demographics, including our young professionals, and listening to the aspirations that Canberrans have for our city. I would like that approach to become the default for talking about planning in Canberra. I support the Chief Minister’s ambitions to develop more meaningful ways to engage with our community and to hear community views. I will ensure that, as Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Urban Renewal, the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and the Land Development Agency take a role in planning the future of our suburbs and trial
Directorate will remain responsible for local investment commitment monitoring and compliance. This will be carried out in close consultation with the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate as well as the Education Directorate. In summary, the review found that wind auction II was successful in incentivising the uptake of large-scale wind electricity at highly competitive prices which ultimately will result in renewable electricity being delivered at low cost to ACT electricity consumers. Wind auction II built on the experience of the solar auctions held in 2012 and 2013 and the first wind auction held in 2014 to deliver two high quality wind projects that will not only deliver competitively priced renewable electricity but will also produce major local investment benefits for the ACT. This includes an agreement with the ANU to deliver world-class research into distributed electricity storage systems, development of a new microgrid system at the CIT, establishment of a new Asia-Pacific microgrid export facility in the ACT, the relocation of the asset and operations management centre of CWP Renewables to the Territory, the establishment of renewable electricity and battery storage training in the territory, and further expansion of the renewable energy innovation precinct in New Acton. The local economic benefits of wind auction II to the ACT have been valued in excess of $100 million over 20 years. This is a great win for Canberra that will support the government’s vision of the ACT as an export-oriented hub for renewable energy investment and innovation. The success of wind auction II continues to move the ACT towards meeting its 100 per cent by 2020 renewable electricity target and demonstrates the territory’s continued leadership on climate change and renewable energy. I commend the review to the Assembly. Committee membership MADAM SPEAKER: I have been notified in writing of the following nominations for membership of the Select Committee to establish an Independent Integrity Commission: Ms Cody, Mrs Jones, Ms Lee, Mr Rattenbury and Mr Steel. Motion (by Mr Gentleman) agreed to: That the Members so nominated be appointed as members of the Select Committee on an Independent Integrity Commission. MADAM SPEAKER: I have also been notified in writing of the following nominations for membership of the Select Committee on 2016 election and Electoral Act: Ms Cheyne, Ms Cody, Ms Le Couteur, Mr Milligan and Mr Wall. Motion (by Mr Gentleman) agreed to: That the Members so nominated be appointed as members of the Select