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Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Topics
electricity network energy infrastructure energy reliability energy security government oversight network operators power infrastructure
Introduced by: The Hon Jihad Dib MP (ALP); The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC (ALP)
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:
Mark Banasiak SFFP
“I contribute to debate on the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025. I stand before this House disappointed that we are debating a bill to fast‑track renewable energy development which tosses aside any sense of community consultation in its design.”
Natalie Ward LIB
“On behalf of the Opposition, I contribute to debate on the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025. The Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap was developed by the former Coalition Government as a much-needed orderly plan to modernise our grid. At its core is a clear principle that this transition must be secure, affordable and reliable.”
John Ruddick LIBT
“The Libertarian Party opposes the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Networks Project) Bill 2025. I say at the outset that the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone around Dubbo was initially forecast to cost $650 million. It is now up to $5.5 billion.”
Abigail Boyd GRN
“On behalf of The Greens, I support the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025. Because of the privatised nature of the energy network, the Government is not in control of the rollout and development of energy infrastructure.”
Wes Fang NAT
“Before I commence the substantive part of my contribution to debate on the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025, I touch on some of the definitions in relation to some contributions that have been made. My Liberal Party colleague the Hon. Natalie Ward indicated that she was speaking on behalf of the Coalition.”
Scott Barrett NAT
“I also oppose the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025. I acknowledge we need to have affordable and reliable power, and we also need to be increasingly mindful about the environmental impacts of energy generation.”
Nichole Overall NAT
“I speak very briefly in debate on the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025. I am in consensus with my National Party colleagues. Our lack of support is not about ideology as such. It is not about attempting to take a position about the rollout and the necessity for what may be transpiring.”
Sarah Mitchell NAT
“As the Leader of The Nationals in the Legislative Council, I am very happy to back in the views that have been put on record by my Nats colleagues in debate on the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025. I make a couple of points, which are similar to those that have been raised already.”
Rod Roberts IND
“I contribute to debate on the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025. I have heard some hypocrisy in this place, but I will come to that shortly. First, I will revisit—as I have a tendency to do—some of my contributions as recorded in Hansard. I go back to 5 May 2021, more than four years ago, and reiterate part of what I said then. I said:”
Damien Tudehope LIB
“I will be brief. The Opposition’s position has been made reasonably clear, but I note the concerns that other members have raised in this debate about the amount of time that has been made available to consider the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025.”
Penny Sharpe ALP
“Yes, I would. This is the second time this has happened this week. There are a lot of forms of the House and ways in which we work across the Parliament in relation to information about bills.”
News articles and press releases
Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025
Mr JIHAD DIB, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government — 2025-08-05
It is estimated that the synchronous condensers which are needed to boost system strength in New South Wales could have been in place 12 to 18 months earlier if they had been able to proceed under the EII Act rather than the national framework. Unfortunately, the way the EII Act is currently worded limits the Minister’s options when issuing directions and the ability to respond promptly to unforeseen events or emerging risks. Recent developments have highlighted the importance of having a more targeted and adaptable directions framework, and the bill addresses those concerns. It amends the directions framework to empower the New South Wales Government to respond efficiently to emerging reliability and system security issues, and to issue more targeted directions to support timely implementation of critical projects.