Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill 2025
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill rewrites Queensland's energy planning laws by repealing renewable energy targets and replacing them with a flexible, market-driven approach focused on affordability, reliability and sustainability. It renames the Act from the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024 to the Energy (Infrastructure Facilitation) Act 2024, streamlines transmission investment processes, creates a framework to deliver the CopperString project connecting North and North West Queensland to the national grid, and abolishes three statutory advisory bodies.
Who it affects
Queensland electricity consumers may see changes to how new energy infrastructure is planned and built. Communities in North and North West Queensland stand to benefit from the CopperString project connecting their region to the National Electricity Market. Energy workers lose two dedicated advisory bodies but retain access to the Job Security Guarantee Fund.
Key changes
- Renewable energy targets are repealed and replaced with strategic infrastructure path objectives focused on cost, reliability and emissions reduction
- Public ownership target for generation assets strengthened to 100% of existing operational assets (replacing 54% by 2035), while private investment in new generation is welcomed
- A new legislative framework is created for the CopperString project to build a transmission line from Mount Isa to Woodstock, connecting remote regions to the national grid
- Renewable Energy Zones are renamed to Regional Energy Hubs with streamlined management and cost recovery processes
- The Queensland Energy System Advisory Board, Energy Industry Council and Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate are all abolished
- The Priority Transmission Investment framework's 2035 sunset clause is removed, allowing it to operate indefinitely
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Introduced16 Oct 2025View Hansard
That the bill be now read a first time
Contested first reading vote on the Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill 2025, which repeals Queensland's renewable energy targets and replaces them with a flexible market-driven approach. ALP and Greens voted against the bill's introduction, an unusual division at the first reading stage reflecting strong opposition to the repeal of renewable energy targets.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (50)
Noes (34)
▸Committee16 Oct 2025View Hansard
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.
▸Committee Report5 Dec 2025
Committee report tabled
Vote on a motion
ALP motion that the member for Woodridge (Mr Dick) be heard, moved after a dispute over who rose first to seek the call during debate on the urgency motion. 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.
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Ayes (32)
Noes (52)
▸1 procedural vote
Vote to end debate
Government gag motion to end debate on the urgency and time allocation motion that declared four bills urgent and set guillotine time limits for the Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 3), Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill, Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill and Defamation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.
Debate was ended and a vote was forced.
A procedural vote to end debate and force an immediate decision. Sometimes called a “gag motion”.
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Ayes (52)
Noes (32)
▸Second Reading10 Dec 2025View Hansard
▸19 members spoke8 support11 oppose
Argued the bill is inadequate for emissions reductions, will drive up power prices, cuts the Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate, and was developed with a severely truncated consultation timeframe.
“This is a bad bill from a bad government. A vote for this bill is a vote to drive up power prices, a vote for privatisation and a vote to take Queenslanders backwards.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
As Leader of the Opposition, argued the bill abandons serious climate action, will increase power prices by extending aging coal generators, discourages renewable energy investment, and amounts to privatisation by stealth.
“The only road this bill drives us towards is off a cliff. It will send families who are struggling to pay their power bills plummeting into bill stress and condemns our state to be a laggard on climate action.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Supported the Energy Roadmap as delivering reduced energy costs, opening the door for private sector investment, and providing a pragmatic plan for Queensland's energy future.
“After 10 years of decline we finally have an Energy Roadmap that will reduce energy system costs for taxpayers by $26 billion to 2035, preventing the average Queensland household from paying the extra $1,035 a year they would have paid under Labor.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Argued the bill allows privatisation of the energy system, will lead to higher electricity prices, and removes renewable energy targets that are needed to drive investment and combat climate change.
“If we look back in a generation we will see that the day this bill passed is the day the ownership of our electricity system started to slip away from the people of Queensland.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Strongly supported coal-fired power and the Energy Roadmap, arguing it removes market intervention, will deliver cheaper power per household, and protects jobs in coal communities like Biloela.
“If renewable energy is that cheap, you do not need the government to force it upon the state; you can let it happen through private investment, which is what sensible governments do.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Argued the bill will increase power prices for families already doing it tough, scraps renewable targets without addressing climate change, and puts the Great Barrier Reef at risk.
“This is going to be bad for Queensland: bad for its economy, bad for Queensland families, bad for business. It is going to lead to an increase in power prices when we know families are already doing it tough.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
As chair of the committee that examined the bill, supported it as delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable power, strengthening public ownership to 100 per cent of existing plants, and saving CopperString.
“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, argued the bill repeals important energy frameworks, weakens public ownership protections, opens the door to privatisation, and will cost jobs in the renewable sector.
“This bill continues the LNP's plan to remove the word 'renewable' from our energy dialogue and is reflective of their head-in-the-sand ideology on climate change.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
As Treasurer and Minister for Energy, moved the second reading of the cognate Energy Roadmap and Greenhouse Gas Storage bills. Outlined repeal of renewable energy targets, retention of public ownership, CopperString framework, and extended coal asset operating timeframes.
“The Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill facilitates delivery of the Crisafulli government's plan for affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Queenslanders.”— 2025-12-09View Hansard
Supported the Energy Roadmap as resetting Queensland's energy policy in a more realistic and market-led direction, replacing rigid targets with a flexible energy system outlook.
“Queenslanders want reliable power, manageable bills and secure jobs, not ideological targets.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Strongly opposed the bill, arguing the LNP is putting ideology above economics and science by repealing renewable energy targets. Warned the bill opens the door for privatisation of regional energy hubs and will deliver higher prices and emissions.
“With this bill, the Crisafulli government is putting ideology above economics and above science when it comes to the future of energy in Queensland.”— 2025-12-09View Hansard
Argued the bill removes renewable energy targets that drove investment, extends coal well into the 2040s without firm closure dates, and will lead to higher emissions and energy insecurity.
“This is not a road map to prosperity or lower power prices, nor sustainable and reliable power sources. This is a detour to higher emissions and energy insecurity for Queensland families, businesses and industries.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Supported the bill as delivering affordable, reliable energy grounded in engineering and economics, strengthening public ownership to 100 per cent, and keeping coal in the mix until at least 2046.
“This is legislation that delivers what Queenslanders have been asking for: a practical, affordable and reliable plan for our state's energy future.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Argued the government is being dishonest about coal closure timelines, that the Energy Roadmap will increase electricity prices, and accused the government of being divided between reality and ideology.
“None of those opposite believe in this document—from the net zero boys at the back who will not go back to their communities like Mirani and say that they voted for net zero in this parliament, to those at the front who know that they are going to close down coal-fired power stations.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Supported the Energy Roadmap as a practical and financially responsible plan that keeps coal in the mix for reliability, protects jobs at Stanwell Power Station, and invests in proper maintenance.
“Coal-fired power keeps the lights on in Queensland. Coal provides the baseload stability that our hospitals, manufacturers and families rely on.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
As Deputy Leader of the Opposition, argued the bill will take Queensland backwards by extending the most expensive forms of energy, scrapping energy targets, and weakening protections for public ownership, citing the repeal of Forest Wind farm legislation.
“This bill and the LNP's Energy Roadmap will take Queensland backwards. This bill will end up driving up prices because it means more of the most expensive forms of energy—that is, coal-fired power generation—for longer.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Supported the Energy Roadmap as a pragmatic approach replacing Labor's ideological pipedream, strengthening public ownership of existing power plants to 100 per cent, and welcoming the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant.
“Under our Energy Roadmap 100 per cent public ownership of transmission and deep storage infrastructure will be maintained, contrary to Labor's scare campaigns.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Argued the bill's public ownership provisions only protect currently owned assets and do not enshrine future public ownership, and that the repeal of Forest Wind will cost regional jobs.
“It does not say anything about protecting future forms of investment in generation and ensuring that that is publicly owned.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
Argued the bill is a plan to spend billions propping up coal and delaying renewables, repeals insufficient but still valuable renewable energy targets, and will lead to higher insurance costs and climate damage. Moved amendments to rename the bill.
“I am pretty sure pouring billions more taxpayer dollars into keeping aging coal-fired power stations open for longer while delaying the transition to renewable energy is not pragmatism; it is plain stupidity.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
▸In Detail10 Dec 2025View Hansard
Amendment to rename the bill's short title from 'Energy Roadmap Amendment Act 2025' to 'Propping Up Coal and Delaying Renewables Amendment Act 2025' as a protest against the bill's policy direction.
Treasurer's amendments Nos 1 and 2 to the Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill, which included the repeal of the Forest Wind farm legislation that had enabled a renewable energy project in regional Queensland.