Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time SA Lotteries SA LOTTERIES The Hon. I.K. HUNTER Legislative Council SA LOTTERIES The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Government Enterprises a question about SA Lotteries. Leave granted. The Hon. I.K. HUNTER Legislative Council The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: We are all aware these days of the significant environmental challenge that we currently face in addressing the impacts of climate change. It is important that we all embrace practices which contribute to a sustainable South Australia, and whether or not you support the climate change paradigm, I think most of us would agree that sustainable practices are a worthwhile precautionary action. Will the minister inform the council of some of the pro-active environmental practices that SA Lotteries has implemented to address this most important issue? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:26): I have previously spoken about how SA Lotteries is a leader in responsible gambling standards in this place and I am sure members would also be pleased to know that SA Lotteries is a leader in the implementation of environmental practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and initiatives that contribute to a sustainable South Australia. I am very pleased to advise that SA Lotteries continued its program of ensuring vehicles used in its fleet were energy efficient and emission friendly in 2009-10. I understand that, where appropriate, six-cylinder vehicles were replaced with four-cylinder vehicles, which are more fuel efficient and produce less greenhouse gas emissions. As members would be aware, this is in line with the Rann government initiative recently announced in the budget that will reduce the carbon emissions of the government car fleet by replacing more than 1,000 six-cylinder SA government fleet vehicles with four-cylinder vehicles. I am advised that SA Lotteries also purchased carbon offsets for fuel used during 2009-10, forecast fuel for 2010-11 and air travel for 2009-10. I understand that this equates to an incredible 245 tonnes of CO₂ emission offsets. I am pleased to advise that accredited voluntary carbon unit offsets were purchased by SA Lotteries through Trees For Life, which members may well know does fantastic work and is a South Australian not-for-profit organisation. The voluntary carbon unit offsets are accepted by the Australian government's National Carbon Offset Standard. A perhaps more well-known initiative that SA Lotteries is involved in is the Footy Express. The Footy Express departs from 130 stops and is a convenient and trouble-free way to attend the footy. SA Lotteries again partnered with SANFL to provide free bus transport to SA footy fans to AFL matches at AAMI Stadium. I am advised that, over the past two seasons, approximately 20 per cent of the crowd used the Footy Express each week. This equates to a most impressive 6,000 tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. SA Lotteries' commitment to sound environmental practices is most impressive and I would like to take this opportunity to thank it for its achievements and its dedication in this particular area.