Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Wednesday 5 February 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned the Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which aimed to apply recent regulatory changes to offshore electricity infrastructure licensing retrospectively. Chris Bowen argued that this measure was necessary to ensure consistent treatment of all feasibility licence applications, regardless of submission date. He stated that without the bill, earlier applications would be subject to different standards, creating unfair outcomes. The bill was commended to the House, and the debate was adjourned.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Tuesday 11 February 2025 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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3. Tuesday 11 February 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on the Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which sought to retrospectively apply regulatory changes to offshore wind feasibility licences. Opposition members argued the bill was a rushed fix for ministerial errors that ignored community concerns and threatened energy security, while advocating for a balanced energy mix including nuclear power and gas. The Minister supported the legislation as necessary for regulatory certainty and fair treatment of applicants. The debate concluded with the Federation Chamber adjourning at 19:56.

   Outcome: The Federation Chamber adjourned at 19:56.

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4. Wednesday 12 February 2025 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   Adam Bandt moved an amendment to the Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to legally mandate the Capacity Investment Scheme targets. The proposal sought to guarantee at least 23 gigawatts of renewable generation and 9 gigawatts of clean dispatchable capacity by 2030. Bandt argued this would protect the scheme from future political interference, particularly from opposition parties. He withdrew the amendment before a vote was taken.

   Outcome: The amendment was withdrawn by the mover.

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5. Wednesday 12 February 2025 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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6. Thursday 13 February 2025 · Senate

   First Reading
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7. Thursday 13 February 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated the Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which sought to apply regulatory amendments retrospectively to ensure consistent treatment of offshore electricity infrastructure licence applications. The government argued the bill provided regulatory certainty and supported the offshore renewables industry. The opposition opposed the bill, linking it to broader concerns about energy prices, grid reliability, and the government's climate agenda. The Greens supported the bill, highlighting an amendment that enshrined the Capacity Investment Scheme into law to protect renewable energy targets. The Nationals criticised the legislation as a rushed fix for administrative errors. The bill passed after divisions.

   Outcome: The bill passed after divisions, with Division 16 not passed (30-34) and Division 17 passed (37-30).

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8. Thursday 13 February 2025 · Senate

   Third Reading
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