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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-05-14 Daily Xml
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National Electricity (South Australia) (Retailer Reliability Obligation) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 4 April 2019.)

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (17:06): I note that I am the lead speaker for the opposition on this bill. This is a national reform on energy from the COAG Energy Council, so it has been agreed through the COAG process as a national reform. As SA is the lead legislator, the opposition will pass this legislation without amendment. However, there are a few points to note.

First, this is part of the National Energy Guarantee but this legislation has nothing to do with carbon. We know why. It is because the commonwealth government—the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government—cannot agree on a carbon policy. It cannot agree on the National Energy Guarantee. It cannot agree on energy policy. It cannot agree on how investment in the energy sector can be generated. Yet, energy is a topic that dominates so many conversations, whether among industry or householders. Businesses and individuals across the country are shaking their heads at the disunity and conflict in the Coalition parties about many matters, but particularly about energy.

The minister has outlined the goals and the expectations the government has for this legislation. The opposition questions many of those assumptions. It is difficult to see how lower prices will result from a massive regulatory burden on shareholders and their capital, on what they do, and how this will incentivise new investment. The government is telling us that there will be more investment in base load generation but without subsidies and without incentives. Apparently, penalties—the big stick, liberally applied potentially—will solve the problem. As I said, the opposition seriously doubts this, but as the legislation has been agreed through the COAG process, we will not oppose it.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (17:08): I do not think there are any further contributions, so I thank the member opposite for the support from the opposition and the lengthy contribution she has just given us. I thank all members for their patience.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

In committee.

Clause 1.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I have a question for the minister in regard to the regulatory burden that may be imposed by this bill. Can you outline what representations you have received from stakeholders about regulatory burdens?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I will filibuster for a moment or two until the adviser gets here.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It is intriguing that members opposite said they would pass it quite quickly. I would have liked a little notice that they were going to ask a question. I had some very good people about to be—

The CHAIR: The Hon. Mr Ridgway, they do not need to give you notice in committee.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I will have an answer very shortly.

The CHAIR: Minister, I recommend you sit down for a little while and wait.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It was representations made by stakeholders?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: What representations have been made by stakeholders in regard to the increased regulatory burden that may be expected from this legislation when it passes?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I am advised the Energy Security Board undertook significant consultation with quite a large range of stakeholders and what they learned from that consultation was included in the final bill.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: My question was specifically what representations, if any, had been made to the state government? Have any stakeholders approached the government with concerns about this bill?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Not specifically to the minister. As the honourable member alluded to in her lengthy contribution at the second reading, it is a COAG-agreed bill, so I guess all those negotiations and consultation happened at that level and then all of the member states were happy to agree to the legislation.

Clause passed.

Remaining clauses (2 to 15) and title passed.

Bill reported without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (17:14): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.


At 17:15 the council adjourned until Wednesday 15 May 2019 at 14:15.

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