Page 2578 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 2 July 2008
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Since the Stanhope government decided that this was, in fact, government policy, it is a bit of a shame that this did not become a government bill so that it could be introduced with the resources of government with their energy policy advisers behind it. We would not now be in the process of having to amend this bill at this stage. It would have come in the first instance. By the tone of the chatter over there, it seems that there was advice from the energy policy people and they got it wrong the first time. It is a problem, when the resources of government are finally brought to bear, that sometimes they do have a better grasp of, say, the complexities of how the national energy market operates and a more effective way of doing it.
The other thing is that this amendment helps to make it clearer that we are talking about things other than just photovoltaics, which was a problem that people raised with me. There are other means of renewable energy. There are other parts of the bill with which I have a problem in relation to that, but we will come to that later. The opposition will be supporting Mr Gentleman’s amendments.
Amendments agreed to.
Clause 6, as amended, agreed to.
Proposed new clause 6A.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (12.00): I move amendment No 7 circulated in my name [see schedule 2 at page 2657].
This is a very simple amendment. I am putting it to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the connection fee structure. This amendment clearly establishes that it is the occupier who is responsible for the costs of connection to the fence line, that is, to the front boundary of the property, but it is the distributor’s responsibility to pay for any costs of connection to take that energy further, that is, wherever it connects to the grid.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (12.01): As I have previously stated in respect of other amendments offered by Dr Foskey in relation to connection to the distributor’s network, it is governed by the national electricity rules. The government will not be supporting this amendment.
Amendment negatived.
Clause 7.
MR GENTLEMAN: I move amendment No 4 circulated in my name [see schedule 1 at page 2652].
This amendment replaces clause 7 of the bill. This clause now identifies that the services provided by distributors and suppliers, as outlined under clause 6, are utility services for the Utilities Act 2000.
Amendment agreed to.
Clause 7, as amended, agreed to.
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