Bills — Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Energy Regulator Separation) Bill 2025; Third Reading

Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.

This bill makes the Australian Energy Regulator a separate government body from the ACCC, with control over its own staff, budget and governance. Its role and powers as the energy regulator stay the same. Much of the debate moved beyond the bill to power prices, renewable energy and gas supply.

Arguments made in support

The Government said the regulator has grown from 15 staff in 2005 to about 400, so it needs control over its own people and money.

Labor members said the regulator's board is accountable for its work but does not control its resources, which is poor governance.

Government speakers pointed to reviews in 2015, 2017 and 2020 recommending independence, and said state and territory ministers agreed in 2023.

Labor members said an independent regulator would better protect consumers and build public trust during the energy transition.

The Coalition said it would support the bill after being assured the change would not push up power bills.

Arguments made against, or for changes

Coalition speakers said the government should focus on lowering power bills, and described the bill as reshuffling the bureaucracy.

Coalition members said the government had not delivered its promised $275 cut to power bills.

Barnaby Joyce argued that renewable energy policy is raising prices and driving industry away, and questioned secret energy investment deals.

Ed Husic supported the bill but called for more frequent gas market reporting and stronger action on gas prices and contracts.

28 speeches by 16 members in the Senate and House over 5 sitting days.