Black Boxed Energy Bills: Unconstitutional, Anti-Environment

Thursday, 24 June 2004 10:00

The Energy Market Bill may also be unconstitutional, according to the Department of Parliamentary Services, as it hands over the states' responsibility for electricity regulation to South Australia.

"These Bills attempt to set in stone a secret deal that utterly fails to address the spiralling greenhouse emissions from the electricity sector," said Jeff Angel, TEC Director. "They attempt to put in place an inter-governmental agreement that no-one has seen and an Australian Energy Market Commission that is yet to exist."

"Labour should support amendments from the Democrats and Greens or admit that they are happy to play second fiddle to Howard's appalling energy policies."

"Rushing through legislation that cements in place the severe architectural defects of the National Electricity Market is unacceptable. Questions over their unconstitutionality should also be investigated."

"The Bills also need amendment to ensure that the new National Energy Commissioners have environmental qualifications and that the ACCC listens to the community."
Australia has the highest per capital greenhouse gas emissions in the world. 34% of the nation's emissions are caused by electricity generation.