Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill 2025
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
That the bill be now read a first time
Contested first reading vote on Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill - passed 50-34 with LNP support, ALP and Greens opposed
The motion passed.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (50)
Noes (34)
Referred to Governance, Energy and Finance Committee
The Governance, Energy and Finance Committee examined the Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill 2025 and recommended it be passed. The bill proposes the removal of Queensland's renewable energy targets (50% by 2030, 70% by 2032, 80% by 2035) along with associated review and reporting requirements, in favour of a more flexible, market-driven approach. The government noted that emission reduction targets remain enshrined in the Clean Economy Jobs Act 2024, including a target of net zero emissions by 2050.
Key findings (4)
- The bill removes Queensland's legislated renewable energy targets of 50% by 2030, 70% by 2032, and 80% by 2035
- The government's rationale is to enable a more flexible, market-driven approach to energy planning rather than targets narrowly focused on renewable energy production
- Emission reduction targets remain in place under the Clean Economy Jobs Act 2024, including 30% reduction by 2030, 75% by 2035, and net zero by 2050
- The bill also removes associated review and reporting requirements for the renewable energy targets
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
Vote on a motion
Procedural vote on an ALP motion that the member for Woodridge (Cameron Dick) be heard during debate on the government's urgency and time allocation motion for four bills. The motion was defeated 32-52 along party lines.
The motion was rejected.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (32)
Noes (52)
▸1 procedural vote
Vote to end debate
Government motion to end debate on the urgency and time allocation motion which declared four bills urgent and set time limits for their debate (guillotine). Passed 52-32 along party lines.
Debate was ended and a vote was forced.
A procedural vote to end debate and force an immediate decision. Sometimes called a “gag motion”.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (52)
Noes (32)
▸10 members spoke4 support6 oppose
Criticised the bill for removing the Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate which will cost jobs, and argued the road map is inadequate for achieving emissions reduction targets.
“The LNP's decision to cut the Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate will cost jobs. It is as simple as that.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
As Treasurer, introduced the bill to repeal Labor's renewable energy targets, strengthen public ownership of existing generation to 100%, replace renewable energy zones with regional energy hubs, and establish a legislative framework for CopperString delivery.
“We are delivering on the Crisafulli government's election commitment to repeal the former government's renewable energy targets.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Argued the bill allows and makes inevitable the privatisation of Queensland's energy system, citing the 80% sale of Brigalow peaker plant.
“This bill allows the privatisation of our energy system. It not only opens it up to privatisation; it makes it inevitable.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill for protecting coal jobs in communities like Biloela and extending the life of Callide Power Station.
“I love coal and I love the great benefits that it brings the communities across Callide and rural and regional Queensland.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Opposed the bill arguing it will be bad for Queensland's economy, lead to higher power prices, and criticised the truncated committee consultation process.
“This is going to be bad for Queensland: bad for its economy, bad for Queensland families, bad for business.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
As committee chair, supported the bill for delivering affordable, reliable energy and saving households $1,035 a year compared to Labor's plan.
“The Crisafulli government has a plan to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable power for Queenslanders.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
As an electrician and ETU member, criticised the bill for repealing renewable energy targets, the Energy Industries Council, and the Jobs Advocate.
“I rise to speak on the Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill 2025... this bad, backwards bill.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Argued the bill removes renewable energy targets that provided investment certainty and described the Energy Roadmap as a 'cul-de-sac' - a dead end for Queensland.
“This is a detour to higher emissions and energy insecurity for Queensland families, businesses and industries.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
As committee member, supported the bill for strengthening public ownership to 100% of existing plants and keeping coal in the mix until 2046.
“This bill strengthens public ownership of our existing state owned power plants, moving from Labor's 54 per cent to the full 100 per cent.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Argued the bill does not protect future public ownership of generation assets and criticised the repeal of Forest Wind which would have brought jobs to regional Queensland.
“The repeal of Forest Wind is a repeal of jobs.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill makes major changes to Queensland's energy policy by repealing legislated renewable energy targets and shifting to a 'market-driven' approach. It renames the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act to the Energy (Infrastructure Facilitation) Act, abolishes three statutory advisory bodies, changes public ownership rules, and creates a new framework for the CopperString transmission project connecting North and North West Queensland to the national grid.
Who it affects
All Queenslanders who pay electricity bills will be affected by changes to energy planning. Energy workers lose dedicated statutory advocacy bodies. Regional communities in North and North West Queensland may benefit from the CopperString project.
Renewable energy targets repealed
The bill removes Queensland's legislated renewable energy targets. Energy planning will shift to a 'flexible, market-driven approach' guided by objectives of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy, rather than specific renewable generation targets.
- Legislated renewable energy targets are repealed
- Energy System Outlook replaces the Queensland SuperGrid Infrastructure Blueprint
- New 'strategic infrastructure path objectives' focus on affordability, reliability and reducing emissions without mandating renewable percentages
Public ownership of energy assets
The bill changes public ownership rules from targeting 54% public ownership of generation by 2035 to maintaining 100% ownership of existing operational generation assets. New generation is open to private investment.
- State commits to retain 100% ownership of existing publicly-owned generation assets
- Previous 54% generation target is removed, opening new generation to private investment
- Power Purchase Agreements no longer count as a form of public ownership
- 100% public ownership targets retained for transmission, distribution and deep storage
Governance bodies abolished
Three statutory bodies are dissolved: the Queensland Energy System Advisory Board, the Energy Industry Council (which advised on worker impacts), and the Queensland Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate. The Government says their functions can be handled administratively.
- Queensland Energy System Advisory Board dissolved
- Energy Industry Council dissolved (advised on energy worker impacts)
- Queensland Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate position abolished
- No compensation payable to members; State becomes successor in law
CopperString transmission project
A new framework is created to facilitate delivery of the CopperString project, which will connect North and North West Queensland to the National Electricity Market. The framework allows stages of the project to be declared for economic regulation.
- New Part 8 establishes regulatory framework for CopperString project
- Responsible Ministers can identify and declare project stages
- Advice on efficient construction and operating costs required before declaring stages
- Regulation-making powers for economic regulation of declared stages
Renewable Energy Zones renamed
Renewable Energy Zones are renamed to 'Regional Energy Hubs' to reflect a broader focus on coordinated transmission for any new generation and storage, not just renewables. The framework is streamlined.
- Renewable Energy Zones renamed to Regional Energy Hubs
- Framework supports market-led development of coordinated transmission
- Streamlined processes for management plans and cost recovery
- REZ assessments removed from the Act