The Government is seeking comment from the public, stakeholders and legal experts on the details of its Clean Energy Legislative Package.

 

Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Minister Greg Combet and Treasurer Wayne Swan released drafts of the key bills in the package on 28 July 2011. The consultation runs until 22 August 2011.

 

The package will give businesses and investors certainty about the carbon price, allowing them to plan new investments in renewable and clean energy technologies.

 

The Clean Energy Legislative Package includes four main bills:

  • The Clean Energy Bill 2011 (which sets up the carbon price mechanism);
  • The Clean Energy Regulator Bill 2011 (which establishes a regulatory body to administer the mechanism);
  • The Climate Change Authority Bill 2011 (which establishes a new Authority to advise the government on the future design of the carbon price mechanism) and
  • The Clean Energy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011.

 

The package also includes details of the Government’s Jobs and Competiveness Program, which will assist emissions-intensive and trade-exposed industries. It also includes details of the Energy Security Fund, which will assist electricity generators to ensure energy security.

 

A bill on the Government’s household assistance measures announced is currently being drafted.

This legislation will be part of the whole package that will be introduced into Parliament later this year and will deliver the Government’s commitments to households in full.

 

The Government will provide tax cuts, increases in family payments and higher pensions and other benefits to assist households with the modest cost impacts of a carbon price.

 

Submissions on the Clean Energy Legislative Package can be sent to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency until 5pm on Monday, 22 August 2011.

 

More information on the Clean Energy Legislative Package as well as the submission form can be found here