False

committee's report

 The committee tabled its report to the House by 28 August 2014.

View:     National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Bill 2014 here
View:     Explanatory Notes  here
View:     Report No. 48, 54th Parliament - National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Bill 2014

The Referral

On 20 May 2014, the Minister for Energy and Water Supply, Hon Mark F McArdle MP, introduced the National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Bill 2014.

In accordance with Standing Order 131, the Bill has been referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee for consideration. 

The Bill

The aims of the Bill are to: 

1. Apply as a law of Queensland the National Energy Retail Law to regulate the sale and supply of energy (electricity and gas) to consumers. The National Electricity Retail Law is contained in a Schedule to the National Energy Retail Law (South Australia) Act 2011 of South Australia. The enactment of this Bill is part of a uniform scheme of legislation applying that Law (which relates to the sales and supply of energy to customers by retailers and distributors) in the States and the Australian Capital Territory (participating jurisdictions)
2. Modify the application of the National Energy Retail Law to:
   a)     ensure that regional electricity customers can continue to access supply despite weak market competition and are provided services on a fair and reasonable basis; and
   b)     support advancement of the Queensland Government’s electricity industry reform priorities by providing additional customer protection and support to small customers following the removal of regulated prices in South East Queensland.

The Queensland Government announced its intention to apply the National Energy Retail Law as a law of Queensland following an Interdepartmental Committee review of the Electricity Sector in Queensland. The review arose out 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 aims to benefit energy consumers by providing enhanced customer protections, reduce the regulatory burden for energy businesses, drive greater efficiencies and foster greater competition in the energy retail market.

The objective of the National Energy Retail Law is to promote efficient investment in, and efficient operation and use of, energy services for the long term interests of consumers of energy with respect to price, quality, safety, reliability and security of supply of energy.

Submissions closed:     30 June 2014
Public briefing:             4 June 2014 - Transcript
Public hearing:             6 August 2014  - Transcript