Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in the names of Senator Waters and Senator Dastyari proposing a reference to the Environment and Communications Reference Committee relating to closures of electricity generators.

Leave granted.

At the request of Senators Waters and Dastyari, I move the motion as amended:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and interim report by 28 November 2016 and final report by 1 February 2017:

(a) the experience of closures of electricity generators and other large industrial assets on workers and communities, both in Australia and overseas;

(b) the role that alternative mechanisms can play in alleviating and minimising the economic, social and community costs of large electricity generation and other industrial asset closures, drawing on experiences in Australia and overseas;

(c) policy mechanisms to encourage retirement of coal-fired power stations from the National Electricity Market, having regard to:

  (i) the 'Paris Agreement' to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally below 1.5 degrees Celsius,

  (ii) the state and expected life span of Australia's coal-fired power plants,

  (iii) the increasing amount of electricity generated by renewable energy and likely future electricity demand,

  (iv) maintenance of electricity supply, affordability and security, and

  (v) any other relevant matters;

(d) policy mechanisms to give effect to a just transition for affected workers and communities likely impacted by generator closures, as agreed in the 'Paris Agreement', including:

  (i) mechanisms to ensure minimal community and individual impact from closures, and

  (ii) mechanisms to attract new investment and jobs in affected regions and communities;

(e) the appropriate role for the Federal Government in respect of the above; and

(f) any other relevant matters.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the COAG Energy Council meeting on 7 October the government, with the agreement of the states and territories, established an independent inquiry to develop a national reform blueprint to maintain energy security and reliability in the national electricity market. The review will draw together and build on the analysis and findings of a number of reports commissioned by all Australian governments through the Energy Council, including reports by the Australian Energy Market Operator and the Australian Energy Market Commission into future power system security and the impact of carbon mitigation policies. Any inquiry established prior to the reporting of the review is premature.

Question agreed to.