Stricter Compliance Requirements for Network Operators Following Infrastructure Directions
Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Network operators can no longer use a 'reasonable excuse' to avoid prosecution for ignoring a direction
Compliance with certain notices is now a condition of a network operator's licence
The Minister must specify the operator, location, project description, and deadline when issuing a direction
The Minister can order a network operator to maintain infrastructure owned by someone else
The Minister cannot materially change the location or description of a priority infrastructure project once a direction is set
Network operators don't have to comply with directions until financial arrangements are settled
The Minister must consult with operators and consider customer interests before finalizing interim financial arrangements
Infrastructure planners can now recommend projects to the Minister to fix energy security or reliability gaps