GLOBAL GREEN CHALLENGE

The Hon. P.L. WHITE (Taylor) (15:08): Can the Premier provide the house with information on the upcoming Global Green Challenge?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (15:08): The government remains strongly committed to supporting the development of sustainable automotive technologies. The inaugural Global Green Challenge, an event to promote alternative energy vehicles, will be run from Darwin to Adelaide, beginning 25 October this year.

The Global Green Challenge is an evolution of the World Solar Challenge, which was supported by both sides of politics in government. This new challenge will present hybrid, electric, low emission, alternative energy vehicles, as well as solar vehicles, to a world that is now eager to positively engage with practical transport solutions that will contribute to a healthy future for the planet.

The challenge will be run by the government through the Motor Sport Board, which, of course, runs the highly successful Clipsal 500. As we explore and develop new means of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and addressing transport inefficiencies, the vehicles taking part in the Global Green Challenge exemplify an important part of our sustainable future.

The Global Green Challenge is no longer simply a showcase of prototypes or bold experiments from around the world. This event will provide an opportunity to road test and refine practical solutions to a number of the world's transport challenges.

We look forward to this beginning later this year. I hope that members on all sides, as they have with the solar challenge, will support this international event that begins in Darwin and culminates in Adelaide.