Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

First, I indicate the government is prepared to support the revised amendment, and I thank Senator Milne and the Greens for their willingness to take on board some of our concerns about the original amendment.

I want to place on record that the government takes these safety issues very seriously. I can point to a number of reforms we have put in place to recognise the importance of these issues and to improve the safety measures surrounding this scheme. The act already includes new and enhanced compliance measures such as civil penalties, tougher financial penalties and more stringent compliance documentation requirements. That was an initiative of the government’s.

In addition, I announced changes this week to regulations which further enhance both the performance and compliance regime for solar PV and other small-scale generation technologies—it might have been last week; the 15th, I think. The weeks are blurring into one at the moment. These entered into force, I think, on 21 June and include additional requirements for installers to comply with state and territory regulations for siting panels, and to comply with building codes, including for panel mountings and connections. Obviously, the safety of electrical work on buildings is regulated by states and territories through a number of laws. Compliance with these state laws is the responsibility of states and territories.

In addition, I note to the Senate the Renewable Energy Regulator is also working with industry to deliver an enhanced program of compliance and performance inspections. These represent one element of a broader and longer term strategy to improve compliance and performance under the renewable energy target and the government’s solar programs. My department will be consulting with industry and other stakeholders on this comprehensive strategy, including post-installation checks. So the revised provision from the Greens is consistent with the government’s work in this area, and for this reason we are able to support the amendment.

Question agreed to.