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committee's report

The committee tabled it's Report No. 47, 54th Parliament - Electricity Competition and Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 on 28 August 2014. The bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly with amendment on 11 September 2014. 

about the bill

On 20 May 2014, the Minister for Energy and Water Supply, Hon Mark McArdle MP, introduced the Electricity Competition and Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (the Bill). In accordance with Standing Order 131, the Bill was referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee for consideration and report to the House by 28 August 2014.

The Bill aims to increase competition in South East Queensland (SEQ) by replacing retail price controls with a more ‘light-handed’ market monitoring approach, and apply the National Energy Retail Law as a law of Queensland. This follows an Interdepartmental Committee review of the electricity sector in Queensland as a result of concerns regarding: the cost effectiveness of electricity supply; the viability, sustainability and competitiveness of the electricity sector; and the financial sustainability of arrangements for government

The Bill proposes to:

• amend the Electricity Act 1994 (the Electricity Act) to remove retail price regulation in SEQ and establish an effective market monitoring regime, and
• remove or amend provisions of existing Queensland energy legislation to avoid duplication upon commencement of the National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Bill 2014 and to ensure that the remaining provisions continue to operate effectively.

The Bill also proposes to make amendments to the Electricity Act, Gas Supply Act 2003 and other legislation to ensure that the remaining consumer protections in these Acts continue to operate effectively. Amendments to remove duplication and align terminology with the National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Bill 2014 are intended to reduce the regulatory burden and increase efficiency for energy businesses, and contribute to more effective government.

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