In August 2022, Energy Ministers agreed to progress the reforms to incorporate emissions reductions into the objectives of the national energy laws, and subsequently consulted on the reforms before agreeing on the final package in May 2023.
The reform to include emission reductions has already been adopted in other jurisdictions for both the gas and electricity sector as a result of the Statutes Amendment (Emission Reductions) Act 2023 (SA Act). The SA Act amends the national gas objective to:
The objective of this Law is to promote efficient investment in, and efficient operation and use of, natural gas services for the long term interests of consumers of natural gas with respect to
(a) price, quality, safety, reliability and security of supply of natural gas; and
(b) the achievement of targets set by a participating jurisdiction—
(i) for reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions; or
(ii) that are likely to contribute to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
For further information please refer to Incorporating an emissions reduction objective into the national energy objectives | energy.gov.au.
Western Australia’s National Gas Access (WA) Act 2009 (WA Act) adopts a modified form of the NGL known as the Western Australian National Gas Access Law. In December 2023, Western Australia consulted on the draft instruments to adopt the reforms in December 2023 and on 24 January 2024 Western Australia adopted the reforms through the:
