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Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment

Current status

This bill became law on Nov 30th, 2022.

Policy area

Climate, energy & environment

What does this bill do?

Offshore wind and transmission structures in Commonwealth waters are now treated as part of Australia for customs law while they are installed there, so normal border controls can apply offshore.

Why was it introduced?

The 2021 offshore electricity law created projects in Commonwealth waters beyond the usual reach of customs controls, exposing a border regulation gap for goods and vessels. This bill treats offshore electricity infrastructureOffshore wind farms, transmission structures and related equipment built in Commonwealth waters, which this bill brings under customs controls while they are installed there. like other offshore installations so Customs can regulate, inspect and control imports and arrivals there.

Broader context

Australia created a legal framework for offshore electricity projects in Commonwealth waters in 2021, but when that regime began on 2 June 2022 it left a customs gap because turbines, platforms, vessels and goods operating beyond the normal reach of the Customs ActThe main law that controls imports, exports and border enforcement, which this bill extends to offshore electricity projects in Commonwealth waters. were not regulated like other offshore installations. The 2022 amendment bill responded by extending customs controls and related regulatorThe body that oversees whether licence holders follow the offshore electricity rules, including publishing some licence plan information. fixes to offshore electricity infrastructureOffshore wind farms, transmission structures and related equipment built in Commonwealth waters, which this bill brings under customs controls while they are installed there., and after Parliament passed it in November 2022 the new Act let border authorities inspect and control imported offshore equipment and arrivals at these projects.

Key criticism

The main criticism was that the bill shifted important financial securityMoney or other security a licence holder may have to provide so the government is covered if an offshore project needs cleanup or shutdown work. decisions from an independent regulatorThe body that oversees whether licence holders follow the offshore electricity rules, including publishing some licence plan information. to the minister, creating worries about weaker oversight, political discretion and taxpayers or communities being left with cleanup risks. Those concerns came mainly from Coalition speakers and one Senate opponent, while broader support for the bill remained but was often tied to calls for stronger consultation and safeguards.

Who supported it?

Hon Chris Bowen MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.

Introduced in House 28 Sept 2022
Passed House 26 Oct 2022
Passed Senate 23 Nov 2022
Became law 30 Nov 2022

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 30 Nov 2022

Final passage

Passed without a counted vote

2 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.

Passage speed

63 days

From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

Meaning

What does this bill do?

  1. Offshore wind and transmission structures in Commonwealth waters are now treated as part of Australia for customs law while they are installed there, so normal border controls can apply offshore.

  2. Companies need Customs permission before installing an offshore electricity structure brought in from outside Australia, and Customs can set conditions including checks for biosecurity risks.

  3. Using an offshore electricity structure that is under customs control now needs Customs permission, so imported offshore equipment can be restricted until border requirements are met.

  4. Customs officers can now board, search and question people on offshore electricity structures, and owners must help them board so goods and arrivals can be checked offshore.

  5. The offshore electricity regulatorThe body that oversees whether licence holders follow the offshore electricity rules, including publishing some licence plan information. can publish summaries of licence plans, licence holders can be required to notify the regulatorThe body that oversees whether licence holders follow the offshore electricity rules, including publishing some licence plan information. when offshore work starts or ends, and the minister now decides financial securityMoney or other security a licence holder may have to provide so the government is covered if an offshore project needs cleanup or shutdown work. requirements.

Show source excerpts
  1. deeming, except for certain purposes, OEI installed in the Commonwealth offshore area to be part of Australia, so that regulatory powers and functions under the Customs Act apply to it;
    Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum
  2. The Comptroller-General of Customs would be able to grant a permission to a person to install an installation upon application, and may impose conditions on any permission granted. These conditions would enable border security risks to be addressed (including biosecurity risks prior to installation). Contravention of the conditions would be an offence. A penalty of up to 100 penalty units may apply if they are breached.
    Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum
  3. Item 11 would insert a new section 33BA into the Customs Act. Section 33BA would create a new penalty for using an Australian offshore electricity installation that is subject to customs control without first obtaining permission of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
    Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum
  4. Item 26 would insert a new paragraph 187(ea) into the Customs Act. This new paragraph would give the power to board and search an Australian offshore electricity installation where it is subject to customs control, where there is a ship or aircraft that has come to the installation from a place outside Australia, or where an officer of Customs has reasonable grounds to believe there are goods that are subject to customs control.
    Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum
  5. Item 6 provides that the regulations may prescribe requirements for a licence holder to notify the Regulator before commencing, or after completing, an offshore infrastructure activity in the relevant licence area. For clarity, section 306 of the OEI Act would allow for any regulations made under item 6 to prescribe offences, with associated penalties, for the breach of any such notification requirements. It is appropriate for such provisions (including possible offences) to be prescribed by regulations, as the OEI industry is a new and emerging industry and it is not yet clear how a notification regime should apply. As set out in the Explanatory Memorandum for the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021, the OEI scheme governs a high hazard activity with potentially very serious health and safety or environmental consequences attaching to contraventions of obligations. The emerging nature of the industry means that there will be a need to adapt and tailor this regime over time, meaning that it is appropriate for offences to be prescribed by regulations. Regulations under item 6 may also include identifying the circumstances in which compulsory notifications will not be required.
    Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum

Context

Broader context for this bill

Australia created a legal framework for offshore electricity projects in Commonwealth waters in 2021, but when that regime began on 2 June 2022 it left a customs gap because turbines, platforms, vessels and goods operating beyond the normal reach of the Customs ActThe main law that controls imports, exports and border enforcement, which this bill extends to offshore electricity projects in Commonwealth waters. were not regulated like other offshore installations. The 2022 amendment bill responded by extending customs controls and related regulatorThe body that oversees whether licence holders follow the offshore electricity rules, including publishing some licence plan information. fixes to offshore electricity infrastructureOffshore wind farms, transmission structures and related equipment built in Commonwealth waters, which this bill brings under customs controls while they are installed there., and after Parliament passed it in November 2022 the new Act let border authorities inspect and control imported offshore equipment and arrivals at these projects.

  1. 02 Sept 2021

    Government introduces the first offshore electricity bill

    The Morrison government tabled legislation to allow offshore electricity projects in Commonwealth waters, paving the way for proposals such as Star of the South and Sun Cable's Singapore interconnector.

    Australian Financial Review ↗
  2. 02 June 2022

    Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021The earlier law that created the offshore electricity licensing regime, which this bill amends to fix customs and administration gaps. begins operating

    The new regime started for construction and operation of offshore electricity infrastructureOffshore wind farms, transmission structures and related equipment built in Commonwealth waters, which this bill brings under customs controls while they are installed there., but it applied in offshore areas beyond the general reach of the Customs ActThe main law that controls imports, exports and border enforcement, which this bill extends to offshore electricity projects in Commonwealth waters..

    Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum ↗
  3. 28 Sept 2022

    Government introduces a bill to close the customs gap offshore

    The amendment bill was introduced to treat offshore electricity infrastructureOffshore wind farms, transmission structures and related equipment built in Commonwealth waters, which this bill brings under customs controls while they are installed there. like other offshore installations for customs purposes and to fix registrarThe official who handles licensing and related administration for offshore electricity projects, and whose role is adjusted by this bill. arrangements after Administrative Arrangement Order changes.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  4. 23 Nov 2022

    Parliament passes the bill

    Both houses passed the bill in the same form, clearing the way for Australian Border ForceThe border agency that gets new powers on offshore electricity structures to control arrivals, inspect goods and enforce customs rules. powers to apply to offshore electricity structures, vessels and goods in Commonwealth waters.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  5. 30 Nov 2022

    Royal Assent makes the customs changes law

    Royal Assent turned the bill into an Act so offshore electricity infrastructureOffshore wind farms, transmission structures and related equipment built in Commonwealth waters, which this bill brings under customs controls while they are installed there. could be brought under normal border-control settings used for other offshore installations.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 28 Sept 2022

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 28 Sept 2022

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 25 Oct 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 25 Oct 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Referred to Federation Chamber

Second reading debate 26 Oct 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

House second reading agreed 26 Oct 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Consideration in detail 26 Oct 2022

The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

Returned from Federation Chamber 26 Oct 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Reported from Federation Chamber

Consideration in detail 26 Oct 2022

The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

House third reading agreed 26 Oct 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 27 Oct 2022

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 27 Oct 2022

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Committee report (17/11/2022) review 27 Oct 2022

Referred to Committee (27/10/2022): Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Committee report (17/11/2022)

Referred to committee

APH bill page notes
Second reading debate 23 Nov 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate second reading agreed 23 Nov 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Senate third reading agreed 23 Nov 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Passed both houses 23 Nov 2022

Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 30 Nov 2022

The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

The main criticism was that the bill shifted important financial securityMoney or other security a licence holder may have to provide so the government is covered if an offshore project needs cleanup or shutdown work. decisions from an independent regulatorThe body that oversees whether licence holders follow the offshore electricity rules, including publishing some licence plan information. to the minister, creating worries about weaker oversight, political discretion and taxpayers or communities being left with cleanup risks. Those concerns came mainly from Coalition speakers and one Senate opponent, while broader support for the bill remained but was often tied to calls for stronger consultation and safeguards.

Criticism was real but mostly targeted oversight, safeguards and implementation rather than offshore wind itself.

Ministerial discretion over financial security

Critics argued the bill gave the minister too much control over financial securityMoney or other security a licence holder may have to provide so the government is covered if an offshore project needs cleanup or shutdown work. decisions for offshore projects instead of leaving that role with an independent regulatorThe body that oversees whether licence holders follow the offshore electricity rules, including publishing some licence plan information.. They warned this could weaken scrutiny of whether companies are financially sound and able to meet decommissioning and rehabilitation obligations.

Raised by Coalition speakers including James Stevens, Jonathon Duniam and Keith Pitt, and opposition senator David Van Source ↗

Risk of weak cleanup and end-of-life accountability

Several speakers said the bill should do more to make sure project operators, not the public, carry the full cost of end-of-life removal and site rehabilitation. The concern was less about offshore wind itself than about whether the safeguards were strong enough if a project failed or closed.

Raised by Coalition members including James Stevens and Nola Marino Source ↗

End-of-life reuse and recycling

Some supporters argued offshore wind infrastructure should be planned around sustainable decommissioning, reuse and recycling rather than being sent to landfill. A Greens second-reading amendment about circular-economy expectations, sustainable decommissioning, and reuse and recycling of offshore wind infrastructure was defeated, showing the issue was raised but did not attract enough support to change the bill.

Raised by Greens speakers, especially Senator Whish-Wilson, with broader end-of-life concerns also raised by Coalition speakers Source ↗

Further sources

parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗

Votes

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.

Passed

House passed the bill

House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

26 Oct 2022

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Passed

Senate passed the bill

Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

23 Nov 2022

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Amendments at a glance

Recorded amendment and procedural votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.

House

Carried

Keep regulator in charge of licence security

Aye 87 No 54

Passed 87 to 54. Support came from Labor, Greens, and Centre Alliance. Opposition came from Liberal Party and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

26 Oct 2022

The amendment was disagreed to, and the House then passed the bill’s second reading, so the government’s version of the offshore electricity amendment bill advanced unchanged.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 63 / 0
Unknown 16 / 24
Liberal Party 0 / 18
Nationals 0 / 11
Independent 6 / 1
Greens 1 / 0
Centre Alliance 1 / 0

Senate

Defeated

Call for circular-economy decommissioning

Aye 13 No 32

Defeated 13 to 32. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and minor parties and independents.

23 Nov 2022

The Senate rejected the second-reading statement and then agreed to the original second reading, so the bill proceeded without the Greens’ proposed added position.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 16
Greens 12 / 0
Unknown 0 / 7
Liberal Party 0 / 5
Nationals 0 / 3
Independent 1 / 0
One Nation 0 / 1

These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.

Parliamentary debate

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Chris Bowen

Australian Labor Party • MP 28 Sept 2022

Bowen supports the bill and says it is the necessary next step to create a new offshore wind industry, bring investment certainty, and unlock jobs and cheaper, more reliable clean energy.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead opposing voice Opposes

Keith Pitt

National Party • MP 26 Oct 2022

Keith Pitt opposes the bill, arguing it strips key offshore-structure decisions from established regulators and gives them to the minister instead.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

Matthew Canavan

Liberal National Party • Senator 23 Nov 2022

Canavan supports the bill and says it is needed to create a clear regulatory framework for offshore wind, but he uses the speech to argue that Australia should back all forms of energy, including nuclear, rather than rely on renewables alone.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Josh Wilson

Australian Labor Party • MP 26 Oct 2022

Wilson supports the bill as a necessary step in modernising Australia’s energy system and unlocking offshore wind, which he says will bring cheaper power, stronger energy security and new jobs.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

8 speakers · 9 contributions · 8 support

  1. Josh Wilson ★ Wilson supports the bill as a necessary step in modernising Australia’s energy system and unlocking offshore wind, which he says will bring cheaper power, stronger energy security and new jobs.
    “This bill is an instalment in that great neglected project of modernising Australia's energy system. It is bizarre and inexplicable that a country like Australia, with the best wind resources going around, including offshore wind resources, has not yet tapped a single watt of that potential. We've shown what our community, what our tech sector and what our energy businesses can achieve in areas like household solar, large-scale onshore solar and all of these other things. Yet, offshore wind somehow remained a strange and inexplicable blank within the palette of energy options. This bill is an important step towards correcting that.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Jerome Laxale Jerome Laxale supports the bill and says it is a practical step that tidies up the offshore electricity framework while helping drive cheaper clean energy, emissions cuts, jobs and investment.
    “This legislation makes some small administrative amendments to the existing Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act of 2021 to reflect recent machinery-of-government changes. It also makes some technical amendments and closes a regulatory gap in the Customs Act to ensure full coverage of customs obligations for new renewable energy infrastructure projects offshore. This regulatory framework for offshore renewables will contribute to delivering cleaner, cheaper renewable energy for Australian households and businesses. This underpins the acceleration of energy transition and decarbonisation in Australia—exactly what locals in my electorate of Bennelong voted for.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Alison Byrnes Byrnes supports the bill and says it is an important first step toward building an offshore renewable energy sector that will create regional jobs, lower emissions and deliver cleaner, cheaper power.
    “This bill is great for Australia and it is great for coastal regional communities like the Illawarra. It sends a clear message that Australia is open for business when it comes to clean energy, and a message that will help create an offshore renewable energy sector creating regional jobs, generating cheaper and cleaner energy, and lowering our emissions. I commend the bill to the House.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Susan Templeman Susan Templeman supports the bill, saying it fixes gaps in the earlier offshore wind framework so projects can actually proceed.
    “I'm so pleased to be supporting the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. I was delighted when the previous government introduced legislation to at least get offshore wind starting, although there were many gaps in that legislation that this bill seeks to correct to ensure that the essential things are in place for offshore wind projects to be able to start.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. Jenny McAllister McAllister supports the bill, saying it is a technical set of amendments that will help offshore renewable energy projects by fixing administrative issues and a customs gap.
    “This bill is essentially a technical bill, and I will return to the substance of what is before us. The establishment of offshore renewable energy will promote regional development by enabling sustainable investment in Australia's coastal areas, creating jobs and growing local economies. This bill makes some quite small administrative amendments to the existing Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 to reflect machinery-of-government changes. The bill also makes some technical amendments and closes a regulatory gap in the Customs Act 1901 to ensure full coverage of customs obligations for new renewable energy infrastructure projects offshore. This regulatory framework for offshore renewables will contribute to delivering cleaner, cheaper renewable energy for Australian households and businesses. This underpins the acceleration of energy transition and decarbonisation in Australia. We're sending a clear signal that we are open for business when it comes to new energy investment, and we are giving certainty to the market.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 23 Nov 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  6. Chris Bowen ★ 2 contributions Bowen supports the bill and says it is the necessary next step to create a new offshore wind industry, bring investment certainty, and unlock jobs and cheaper, more reliable clean energy.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Chris Bowen on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Minister's second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 28 Sept 2022

    Bowen supports the bill and says it is the necessary next step to create a new offshore wind industry, bring investment certainty, and unlock jobs and cheaper, more reliable clean energy. He presents it as an important start to a broader renewables plan and commends it to the House.

    “It's the start—but not the end—of our plans for offshore wind. But it's an important start. I commend the bill to the House.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Bowen supports the bill, saying it makes sensible administrative and technical changes and closes a customs regulatory gap for offshore renewable projects. He also rejects the opposition's proposed changes, but his clear position is that the bill should pass.

    “This bill does make some small administrative amendments to the existing Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 to reflect recent machinery-of-government changes, which is very sensible and necessary. It also makes some technical amendments and closes a regulatory gap in the Customs Act 1901 to ensure full coverage of the customs obligations for new renewable energy infrastructure projects offshore. This is all very sensible.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
  7. Carol Brown Brown supports the bill as job-enabling legislation that will create a regulatory framework for a new offshore wind industry, attract investment, and help deliver cheaper, more reliable clean energy.
    “This Bill underpins the offshore renewable energy regulatory framework for a new Australian industry, building on this Government's strong support for renewable energy projects and critical grid infrastructure.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 27 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  8. Karen Grogan Grogan supports the bill and says it will fix the new offshore electricity regime so goods, vessels and the registrarThe official who handles licensing and related administration for offshore electricity projects, and whose role is adjusted by this bill. are properly regulated.
    “While that doesn't sound like the sexiest paragraph in the universe, it actually is a significant step towards structural change. As Senator Hanson-Young was referring to previously, we have seen, over a significant period of time, close to a decade, challenges in this area and a lack of action. So we are making this change to ensure that we can build this industry that we know has the opportunity to be quite transformational. It is quite a transformational piece of work. We've seen a lot of activity across Europe, and now the United States are also investing very heavily in offshore wind. These changes allow us to invest in that industry and to open up the opportunity for the building of those wind farms offshore to build up our electricity grid.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 23 Nov 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Coalition

8 speakers · 5 support · 2 oppose · 1 unclear

  1. Keith Pitt ★ Keith Pitt opposes the bill, arguing it strips key offshore-structure decisions from established regulators and gives them to the minister instead.
    “The member for McMahon's proposal has been to change the decision-making power to him as the minister. There are very good regulatory authorities for offshore structures, which have been in place for decades, in NOPTA and NOPSEMA. NOPTA is for permits and approvals and NOPSEMA is obviously for design. That is what they do. In this legislation proposed by those opposite, those decisions are being taken away and given to the minister. I like Minister Bowen! He's a very interesting individual, but I'm quietly confident that he has absolutely no idea about geotech, about engineering, about design for corrosion, about life cycle and about how to ensure things are actually looked after and not abandoned and left for the Australian taxpayer at the end of their life, which may be much, much shorter than expected.”

    National Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Matthew Canavan ★ Canavan supports the bill and says it is needed to create a clear regulatory framework for offshore wind, but he uses the speech to argue that Australia should back all forms of energy, including nuclear, rather than rely on renewables alone.
    “I am proud to rise to support this piece of legislation, the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. I do so as a former minister for resources who had some involvement in kicking off the process which has led us to this piece of legislation. This is largely a bill that has been reintroduced from the previous parliament. The previous government had been working for a number of years on updating our regulatory framework to specifically cover the investment and creation of offshore wind turbines. Until we pass this legislation, there is a bit of a gap in exactly where and how any investment in offshore wind would be regulated. We already do have significant regulatory arrangements in place for offshore oil and gas developments. As the minister for resources, I was responsible for those. They didn't specifically cater for offshore wind. There was generic environmental legislation that offshore wind investments could potentially come under.”

    Liberal National Party • Senator • 23 Nov 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. James Stevens James Stevens says the opposition supports the bill in principle because it should help bring more offshore electricity generation into the grid, but he wants an amendment to remove ministerial discretion and put stronger, independent checks on financial viability and responsibility for clean-up.
    “So, with those remarks, I commend the amendment to the chamber and also support the principle of the bill with those points we've made in the amendment, which I think will ensure the ability for this investment to proceed with certainty but also make sure that the activities of the companies that are undertaking this are at the highest standard and that companies are taking all the proper responsibility for those investments that they should. I commend the amendment to the House.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Rowan Ramsey Ramsey supports the bill, saying it is right and proper to have legislation that allows offshore wind farms to be built.
    “I have no problem with the idea of wind farms generally, and I have no problem with offshore wind farms. I think it's right and proper that we have in place legislation that will enable people to build offshore wind farms if that is what they wish to do. But I am mystified, I have to say. Australia is the sixth-biggest country in the world. It covers 7.7 million square kilometres and has, interestingly, 34,000 kilometres of coastline. Most of that coastline is a good prospect for wind farming. Certainly, the southern coast of Australia is fantastic for wind farms. You would well appreciate that, Mr Deputy Speaker Wilkie. One of the things we do know about offshore wind farms is that they are more expensive, and somebody has to pay the bill at the end of the day. So I'm fairly mystified that, in a country this size, somehow we have to build these wind farms offshore. But we do know why that is, and I touched on it at the beginning of this speech: it's the denial of reality and fact. Most people are in favour of renewable energy, but a whole lot of them don't want to see it. They don't want to know about it. They don't want to have to look at it. Mr Deputy Speaker, I know you come from an Australian rules football state. I was very keen—I think I'm maybe past my prime now—on playing half-forward for Adelaide, but probably the reality is I could not, I'd have to say. We all want renewable energy, but we somehow don't want to see these monstrosities, as some people call them, next to us. We all want better mobile phone service. You'd be surprised, Mr Deputy Speaker, at the number of people who come to me and say, 'I don't want a mobile phone tower anywhere near me, but I do want service.' We have this problem in Australia that people are saying, on the one hand, 'I want renewable energy,' but, on the other hand, 'I don't want it near me; somebody else has to have it.' Otherwise, we would have seen the member for Fremantle standing up to say, 'I want it off Fremantle port.' But he doesn't want it there. He wants it off my coastline, where my people will have to look at it. People should be honest with themselves about this situation, and politicians should be honest with the public that there is a cost as a result. That cost will be financial, but that cost may also be to your amenity.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. David Van Van says the opposition will not back the bill because, although he supports offshore wind in principle, he argues the key amendment would shift financial-security decisions from an independent regulatorThe body that oversees whether licence holders follow the offshore electricity rules, including publishing some licence plan information. to the minister and open the process to corruption.
    “The government is intending to make a few amendments, most of which are uncontroversial and don't greatly affect the core intention of our previous bill—except for one important one. The government wants it to be the power of the minister, not the regulator, to decide what forms and amount of financial security licence holders must provide and when these obligations must cease under regulations.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 23 Nov 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  6. Dan Tehan Tehan says the bill builds on work the Coalition started, but argues Labor has no real plan for offshore wind, local manufacturing, or managing the energy transition.
    “Now, what about this Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill? What about this bill? Well, this bill builds on some very good work that we did when we were in government. But it also shows, and demonstrates once again, that the government has no plan.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  7. Nola Marino Marino supports the bill and says the coalition will back it, but wants further amendments to strengthen financial securityMoney or other security a licence holder may have to provide so the government is covered if an offshore project needs cleanup or shutdown work., community consultation, local procurement and end-of-life management of offshore projects.
    “I support the legislation and I support the further amendments to improve this bill and to improve the outcome. As I said, it's really important to rural and regional communities that they are part of this process and that they can have confidence not only in their dealings with the actual companies but in the whole-of-life management of these particular assets and this infrastructure. One clear way of doing that is to ensure the financial security side of it and to have clarity over that, but the social licence to operate in those communities is also particularly critical. There is a real need for our communities to be engaged early on and to not be steamrolled in this process. It is equally important that there is a benefit for those small communities not only with the production of this electricity but in the management of the process throughout its life span, whether that's 10, 15 or 20 years, and that appropriate management and recycling are part of that.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 26 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  8. Jonathon Duniam Duniam says the coalition supports the bill because its amendments are mostly noncontroversial and the party backs the continued development of offshore wind.
    “The bill makes a number of minor amendments to the act. While the amendments are mostly noncontroversial, and the coalition supports the ongoing development of Australia's offshore wind industry, a notable amendment is that the minister, rather than the regulator, will be given the power to decide what forms and amounts of financial security licence holders must provide and when these obligations must cease under regulations. The coalition believes the proposed amendment that allows the minister, rather than the regulator, to make decisions in relation to matters relating to the financial security of licence holders risks emboldening the government's plan to accelerate the rollout of renewable projects without sufficient community consultation or, importantly, without a social licence and therefore will mean easier terms for licence holders than otherwise would be granted under an independent authority. This is a matter that the coalition will be paying close attention to.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 23 Nov 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Greens

2 speakers · 2 support

  1. Peter Whish-Wilson Whish-Wilson says the Greens will support the bill because they want the offshore renewable energy industry to proceed, but they want stronger rules so wind infrastructure is recycled and not sent to landfill.
    “We will no doubt vote on this amendment, and the Greens will be supporting this legislation today.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 23 Nov 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Sarah Hanson-Young Hanson-Young supports the bill and says the Greens will back it because it is an important step toward a cleaner economy and more renewable energy.
    “I rise today to speak in favour of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. The Greens will be supporting this bill put forward by the government because it is an important step forward to ensure that we can transition to a cleaner, greener economy and to ensure that we are investing all of our efforts in the production of renewable energy.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 23 Nov 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

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