New Powers to Speed up Gas Pipeline Upgrades and Issue Fines
National Gas (Victoria) Amendment Bill 2025
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Topics
energy infrastructure energy regulation gas pipelines LNG storage natural gas transmission systems
Introduced by: The Hon Ingrid Stitt MLC (ALP); Lily D'Ambrosio MP (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:
Matthew Guy LIB
“Strap yourselves in again; there is another energydiscussion. It is a good one. You willbe very entertained, and you will get a great lesson on gas policyfor theages. Gaspolicy,notthegasemittedfromsomeofyouwhenIamspeaking.Comeon,befair,bereasonable. I do enjoy making some energy contributions. I have got a vast interest in energy policy and the NationalGas(Victoria)AmendmentBill2025.”
David Davis LIB
“The National Gas (Victoria) Amendment Bill2025 is a bill that I am happy to make a contribution on, indicating that the opposition will not opposethisbillbut willseekto amend itand asksomequestionsof the minister duringthecommittee stage in this chamber. It is a bill that points to weaknesses in the government’s approach. We have seen12 years of this government,and wehaveashortageof gas.”
Josh Bull ALP
“I am pleased to be able to get up and follow on from that contribution. Certainly the first 10 minutes of the member for Bulleen’s contribution were actually quite an informative and measured historylesson aboutenergy in this state. I think for the majority of us over this side of the house it was quite enjoyable.”
Sarah Mansfield GRN
“I rise to speak on the National Gas (Victoria) AmendmentBill 2025.Aswehaveheardtoday,thisbillcreatesanewpowerfor theminister todirect pipelineowners,serviceproviders andtheAustralianEnergyMarketOperator, orAEMO, to upgrade Victoria’sregulatedgastransmissionpipelinenetworkinordertomaintaingassupplyandgasquality.”
Matt Fregon ALP
“I am delighted to give a small contribution on the National Gas (Victoria) Amendment Bill 2025 and thank colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their contributions. If I refer to the member for Bulleen’s opening contribution, and I agree with my colleaguesitting next to me, for thefirst10 minutesI donotthinkwedisagreed on anything, and then thingsstarted to get abitdifferent.”
Sheena Watt ALP
“I rise today to speak on this bill, which amends the National Gas (Victoria) Act 2008 to empower the Minister for Energy and Resources with directive powers for urgently needed augmentations to expand the flexibility and capacity of the regulated Victorian transmission gas pipeline network.”
Jacinta Ermacora ALP
“I am pleased to speak on the National Gas (Victoria) AmendmentBill 2025. It is abillthatis about makingsureVictorians have theenergythey need when they need it. Energy security is important as we do the hard work of transitioning to a renewable future.”
Roma Britnell LIB
“I rise to speak on the National Gas (Victoria) AmendmentBill2025.I find itfascinating:I havebeensittingherelisteningto thedebate, and Labor, who have been demonising gas for some time now, are suddenly talking about the importance of gas and the role it will play in the transition towards renewables, which is exactly what we have been saying as Liberals for the last few years at least.”
Nina Taylor ALP
“I just want to pick up on the matter of how the orders are made, becauseI did hearsome concerns being raised about that. Before making an order, the minister will have to consult with the Premier, the Treasurer and AEMO – noting they are a pretty massive player in the energy market– and thedeclared transmission systemowner.”
Evan Mulholland LIB
“I rise to speak on this bill, and I thank my colleague Mr Davis for his contribution, where he very largely and comprehensively outlined our position.As wasnoted,wehaveserious concernsaboutthisbilland willbemovingamendments.But there is one particular issue that I want to speak about that I am particularly fired up about, and it is making sure that people have choice in their energy sources.”
Ellen Sandell GRN
“I also rise to speak on the National Gas (Victoria) AmendmentBill2025. TheGreens will not be voting against this bill in the Legislative Assembly, as wedosupporttheideaofthegovernmentplanningourenergytransition.”
Wendy Lovell LIB
“I rise to talk on the National Gas (Victoria) Amendment Bill 2025 as well. As Mr McIntosh wentoff topic, I think I will go off topic. Certainly if thoseonthebenchesoppositecouldstillberortingmoneytogivetotheCFMEU,theywouldbe.They have been for the last 12 years, and they certainly would like to continue doing that, but they have been caught out and they have had to rein that in.”
Paul Mercurio ALP
“I amvery happy. I was not sure if I was going to get up or not. I am very grateful that the member for Melbourne left me a couple of minutes. I rise today in strong support of this bill, and I want to take a few minutes to explain why it matters right now and why getting this right is so important for everyVictorian. A member interjected. Paul MERCURIO: Yes.”
Ryan Batchelor ALP
“I am very pleased to rise to speak on the National Gas (Victoria) Amendment Bill 2025.”
Gaelle Broad NAT
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak about the National Gas (Victoria) Amendment Bill 2025. We will not oppose this bill, but we certainly do seektoamendit.IthankDavidDavisforhisextensiveworkonthisbill.Itisclearthatthemanagement of energy policy in this state has fallen well short of our energy needs, and we know that demand for energy is going to continue to rise.”
David Ettershank LCV
“(2403) My adjournment is to the Minister for Veterans and concerns the federal Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ updated medicinal cannabis framework introduced last month. While the DVA claims these resources are intended to safeguard thehealth and wellbeingof veteransand ensuretreatmentsaresafeand effective,thereality is quite different.”
Georgie Crozier LIB
“(2407) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health. The action I seek is for the minister to consider appointing an administrator at Albury Wodonga Health. Last Thursday Safer Care Victoria released its abridged findings into its investigation into the nation’s only border health service, saying it speaks to cultural and behavioural challenges that have existed for some time.”
David Limbrick Liber
“(2409) My adjournment matter this evening is for the attention of the Minister for Planning. Last week the housing advocacy group YIMBYMelbournehosted an event with an internationalplanning expert,AlainBertaud.Amongthe things that he spoke about that are impacting the availability of housing in Melbourne were the green wedge zones.”
Melina Bath NAT
“(2410) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Education, and it relates to an issue that affects fire-prone communities, regional communities and hillycommunities. Mycasestudyis Emerald SecondaryCollege, but it also applies to Cockatoo Primary School and Beaconsfield Upper Primary School. These schools are forced to closeonhighfiredangerdays.”
Georgie Purcell AJP
“(2412) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Racing, and the action I seek is for an immediate investigation into the deadly Ballarat greyhound racing track. Ballarat has become synonymous with injury and death in Victoria’s greyhound racing industry.”