Homeowners Cannot Be Forced by Contract to Use Gas Supply Infrastructure
Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Gas Infrastructure) Amendment Bill 2026
Private Member's BillLegislative Council
House of Assembly
Assent
Previously introduced as:
Introduced by: Melanie Selwood MLC (GRN)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Melanie Selwood GRN
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. People who have been in this chamber much longer than I will be very familiar with this bill. It was first introduced by the Hon. Mark Parnell in this place in 2018. It was then re-introduced by the Hon. Robert Simms in 2021, and again in 2022. While we might sound like a broken record on this bill, the problem has not gone away.”
Russell Wortley ALP
“The state Labor government does not seek to stop people using gas. Rather, the aim is to provide the market with more options and give consumers choice. The implications of banning an existing choice are not currently clear, particularly the effects on customers, existing developments and the future availability of appliance options in new housing developments.”
Michelle Lensink LIB
“I understand this bill was first introduced as a private members’ bill in 2018 by the Hon. Mr Simms’ predecessor, the Hon. Mark Parnell, and that this bill is identical except for the different operative date, which is currently out of date. Be that as it may. As I have said previously tonight, we do like to be consistent in the Liberal Party.”
Robert Simms GRN
“I was hoping the Hon. Mr Hood would speak in favour, given his support for other crossbench motions. I might break the curse of the Hon. Michelle Lensink damning my bills to failure. At least the Liberal Party has been consistent in its opposition to this bill; the same cannot be said for the Labor government. This bill has had several lives: it was introduced first by my colleague the Hon.”
Clare Scriven ALP
“I rise today in relation to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Gas Infrastructure) Amendment Bill and indicate I am the lead speaker for the government. The government thanks the honourable member for bringing this bill to the council. It does not seek to stop people using gas; rather, the aim is to provide the market with more options and give consumers choice.”
Connie Bonaros SAB
“I am not listed down as speaking but I indicate, for the record, that SA-Best supported this bill the previous time it was introduced in this place, and we indicate our full support for the bill this time around. I hope, from the words the minister has just indicated, that ’if’ means we will be reconsidering this on the part of the government. I suppose time will tell if that is the case or not.”
Tammy Franks GRN
“I was not intending to speak but, listening to the government’s speech, I am moved to do so. This is not a new issue, as was noted by the now Malinauskas government’s speech. It was something the Hon. Mark Parnell put to this council and it was something that the Hon. Robert Simms has put to this council. This is not a new issue. It might be an issue worthy of ventilation.”