Gas (Other Gases) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 2 November 2023.)

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (16:51): Following on from the previous bill, this is quite consequential. I will not repeat myself, and I indicate that we support this bill as a follow-on from the work that was done by the previous minister, Dan van Holst Pellekaan. We indicate that the opposition will be supporting this bill.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (16:52): I thank members of the council for considering the Gas (Other Gases) Amendment Bill, and I thank the Hon. Heidi Girolamo for her remarks. This bill makes changes that are a direct result of the Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Other Gases) Bill that has just been considered and passed in this place. The statutes amendment bill is part of the National Energy Law reforms in which South Australia proudly plays its role as the lead legislator. This bill makes changes to South Australian laws and regulations, which will allow this state to take advantage of the new national reforms that will now become law.

The current Gas Act 1997 is limited to regulating the supply and use of gases that are hydrocarbons or predominantly hydrocarbons, which means natural gas. The statutes amendment bill is acknowledgement that the energy system is changing as we pursue the opportunities of decarbonising rather than fomenting the growing risks of failing to act against climate change. Under the changes, natural gas will continue to be regulated but will fall under a new umbrella term of 'covered gases'. Covered gases will include hydrogen, biomethane and blends of gases.

The Malinauskas government knows that a huge appetite for hydrogen is building among the world's manufacturers of steel, cement, glass, ceramics and other products, which presently require the use of coal or natural gas. But these businesses know they must decarbonise, and hydrogen is the key. This bill gives business that opportunity at a state level. It does not mandate a particular type of gas to be supplied, nor a timetable that would require hydrogen or a blend to be available to consumers. What we are doing is creating the framework for the future. It will be up to entrepreneurs, businesses and consumers to seize the opportunities. I commend this bill to the council.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (16:55): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.