Page 1828 - Week 06 - Thursday, 5 June 2014
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This bill provides the means to regulate this spectrum of services appropriately.
The ACT now has a series of important dams, especially the new Cotter Dam. This bill updates dam safety for the territory to be consistent with other states and territories. The bill creates a uniform approach to the safety management of all dams of a significant magnitude.
The bill creates a statutory office holder called the technical regulator, who has the task of administering the proposed act. The bill will not change any existing administrative arrangements, and the Director-General of the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate is expected to remain the technical regulator.
The technical regulator will be empowered to appoint technical inspectors and exercise auditing and investigation functions. The technical regulator and inspectors will have tools such as formal warning notices and directions, a power to condition licences, and authority to condition or revoke operating certificates. The work of the technical regulator, their costs and any regulatory action taken will be reported in an annual compliance report, which is envisaged to be incorporated into the annual report of the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate.
The bill aligns with the national approach to the national energy market reform and does not affect any arrangements with the commonwealth. In July 2012, the national energy customer framework, as part of the national energy market reform, transferred certain industry regulatory functions from the states and territories to commonwealth agencies, namely the Australian Energy Regulator and the Australian Energy Market Commission. This transfer of industry regulation necessitated substantial changes to the ACT energy legislation. Although further changes of industry regulatory frameworks are expected as the national energy market reforms continue, technical regulation remains the responsibility of the states and territories.
We have a responsibility to manage energy and water prudently to protect the environment and to deliver these services in a safe manner.
This bill provides a legislative basis to support the government’s sustainable energy policy by providing a flexible framework for regulating cleaner energy generation. The bill also embraces new and old technology and aims to maintain the territory’s good record on providing safe, reliable and sustainable energy and water services.
I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Coe) adjourned to the next sitting.
Gas Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
Mr Corbell, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
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