ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT BILL 1999 Second Reading Speech

Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches

ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT BILL 1999

(This an uncorrected proof of the daily report. It is made available under the condition that it is recognised as such.)

Bill presented and read a first time.

Mr MANZIE (Resource Development): Mr Speaker, on behalf of and at the request of the Minister for Essential Services, I move that the bill be now read a second time.

One of the reforms necessary to introduce competition in the electricity industry is the removal of regulatory functions from the Power and Water Authority. In order to achieve this, the Department of the Chief Minister, in consultation with officers of the authority, are reviewing the legislation which the authority is responsible for administering.

This bill to amend the Electricity Act sees the first in a series of legislative steps which will occur in the remainder of this year to implement reform in the electricity sector within the framework of national competition policy.

This legislative amendment will facilitate the separation of the regulatory function involving electrical installations by transferring the electrical inspection function to the Department of Industries and Business. In addition, electrical inspectors will no longer be required to be employees of the authority. Interim arrangements which ensure the electrical inspectors remain authority employees but are managed and administered by the Department of Industries and Business on behalf of the authority are being negotiated. Consultation with the unions and alternatives available for the inspectors are being finalised. The regulations and by-laws associated with the Electricity Act will be reviewed with a view to consolidating this process. Mr Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members.

Debate adjourned.

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