Josh Wilson (Fremantle, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank honourable members for their contributions to the debate on the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Energy Regulator Separation) Bill 2025. The bill seeks to establish a legally separate Australian Energy Regulator—the AER, as distinct from the ACCC—to provide greater management and financial autonomy for our energy regulator, enhancing its ability to manage resources and set its strategic direction. This will allow the AER to respond with agility to changing energy needs and focus with greater clarity on energy security, reliability and affordability for energy consumers. This reform will enhance Australia's energy market governance arrangements, contributing to a strong and independent energy regulator that will ensure energy consumers across Australia are better off for many years to come, and I commend this bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

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