Page 610 - Week 03 - Thursday, 15 March 2007

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Question put:

That Mr Pratt’s motion be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Ayes 6

Noes 9

Mrs Burke

Mr Stefaniak

Mr Barr

Mr Gentleman

Mrs Dunne

Mr Berry

Mr Hargreaves

Mr Mulcahy

Mr Corbell

Ms Porter

Mr Pratt

Dr Foskey

Mr Stanhope

Mr Smyth

Ms Gallagher

Question so resolved in the negative.

Utilities (Energy Industry Levy) Amendment Bill 2007

Mr Stanhope, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.

Title read by Clerk.

MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Minister for the Arts) (11.57): I move:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

Over the last two years the ACT has been an active participant in a series of national energy market reforms aimed at streamlining the regulation of the generation and supply of electricity and gas. In doing so, the ACT government has worked to ensure that the provision of electricity and gas services to the ACT remains of a high quality and that the long-term interests of ACT consumers are protected.

Without a secure supply of electricity and gas, Canberra could not maintain its excellent standard of living. The Utilities (Energy Industry Levy) Amendment Bill I am presenting to the Assembly today is an example of the government’s responsible approach to the reform on behalf of the people of Canberra.

As part of the national reform process, the commonwealth and all states and territories agreed in June 2004 to the Australian energy market agreement. This agreement defines the objectives and key structure and timing of the reforms. Earlier this year, COAG supported an amendment to the agreement to formalise state and territory funding obligations to the national energy market rule-making body, the Australian Energy Market Commission. This rule-making body and its functions are necessary for the reform to be successful, as the ACT alone does not have the power or resources to undertake the duties this body performs. The commission is also vital in ensuring that jurisdictional concerns are treated in an even-handed and equitable manner.

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