Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading

Waters supported the bill, emphasising that it protected the clean energy sector from potential dismantling by a future coalition government. Waters highlighted that an amendment incorporated into the bill enshrined the Capacity Investment Scheme into law, securing 32 gigawatts of clean energy targets by 2030. Waters argued this provided certainty for investment and helped meet emissions reduction goals, while criticising the government for continuing to approve new coal and gas projects.

Grogan defended the bill against opposition claims, clarifying that it addressed specific administrative issues arising from a court challenge to feasibility licences. Grogan explained that the legislation ensured consistent treatment of applications and prevented delays in critical offshore wind projects. Grogan noted that the enabling legislation was originally passed by the coalition and argued the bill supported job creation and economic growth through renewable energy development.

Cadell opposed the bill, describing it as a rushed policy fix for errors in the offshore wind program. Cadell argued that the government lacked understanding of its own regulatory powers and was attempting to bypass community consultation by making changes retrospective. Cadell claimed the approach was unsustainable and contributed to a broader pattern of poor policy implementation that risked grid reliability.