Dr WOODRUFF - Minister, maybe this is a question for Mr Voss, but that is up to you to decide.
The purpose really, I would have thought of Renewable Energy Tasmania, the primary purpose is to reduce our carbon emissions. So you can see where I am heading with this question by your smile, I can tell.
The biggest contribution that we could make to reducing carbon emissions would be to end the burning and clear felling of native forests. The excellent paper, the science is in from Professors Mackey and Lindenmayer, that the reason that we have, as you said, six out of seven of the last years, net zero emissions in Tasmania, is because we ended the wholesale clear felling and burning with the Tasmanian Forestry Agreement back in 2013 14.
Will you now look at ruling out native forest logging so that we can achieve, as fast as possible, a reduction in our state's emissions?
Mr BARNETT - Thank you for your question. It is in two parts, and you talked about the focus of renewables, climate and future industries Tasmania, just to be very clear. It has a broad focus. We pulled across government so that we could have an across government approach to renewable energy, climate change, and future industries, and that is now in Renewables Climate and Future Industries Tasmania, which is - the CEO is sitting on my left, Anton Voss. It is not just about one part of that objective which is climate change, and responding to climate change. It is a very important part, but it has whole other areas of special focus including progressing our renewable energy plans and renewable energy projects, including Marinus Link, Battery of the Nation, green hydrogen.
Obviously, electricity prices -
Dr WOODRUFF - Isn't the purpose of those, to reduce emissions? Isn't the purpose of us trying to achieve 200 per cent renewables to reduce emissions, and do everything we can in that area?
Mr BARNETT - As a government, our focus is on growing the economy, creating more jobs, creating opportunity for Tasmanians and delivering a cleaner world.
The beautiful thing about Tasmania is it is 100 per cent, fully self sufficient in renewable energy going to 200 per cent, as we have what the rest of the world really wants and needs. That is, affordable, reliable, clean, 100 per cent clean electricity.
Dr WOODRUFF - So the extra 100 per cent is about the money part. And the first 100 per cent was just by accident.
Mr BARNETT - No. I did not say that. Sorry, I have been verballed by you.
Dr WOODRUFF - I am asking you because of what you said.
Mr BARNETT - You can ask the question. I will respond. Please do not tell me what I just said. did not say that. Sorry, I have been verballed by you.
Dr WOODRUFF - I am asking you because of what you said.
Mr BARNETT - You can ask the question and I will respond. Please do not tell me what I have just said. We recommend and support a balanced approach. We support growing the economy, creating more jobs and delivering a cleaner world. We are delivering on that objective with our renewable energy plans.