Queenslanders will be encouraged to have their say on changes to the Electrical Safety Act as the State Government considers 83 recommendations from a review of the legislation.
Minister for Industrial Relations, Grace Grace said the Queensland Government wanted to ensure the Act was fit for purpose and kept pace with changes in technology.
The key issues in the discussion paper include: the electrical safety considerations of new and emerging technologies; the changing landscape of electricity and the workforce; and electrical safety and electric vehicles.
“We know how much technology and electricity use has changed since 2002 and that’s why we commissioned a review of the Act,” the Minister said.
“I encourage the community to have their say by providing feedback during the consultation periods, and I thank everyone who contributes.”
She said that over the last 20 years, since the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (the Act) was introduced, the way Queenslanders have used and interacted with electricity has changed dramatically – with many new technologies and products on the market now that could not be imagined in 2002. Â
These changes have also created new safety risks which need to be managed, she said.
The Queensland Government commissioned an independent review of the Act in 2021, which was undertaken by Dick Williams.
The 83 recommendations from Mr Williams’ report include guidance on the scope of the Act and coverage of emerging energy generation and storage technologies, including solar power and batteries; electric vehicles; hydrogen-based electricity generation; storage technologies; off-grid generation; and regulatory, licensing, and supply chain duties reform.
In the time since the final report was provided, the Office of Industrial Relations has undertaken analysis, of which recommendations have regulatory or financial impacts to business, community and government.
“To ensure we get this right the Palaszczuk Government is releasing the report and asking for feedback from all Queenslanders including through a targeted discussion paper on three key issues from the report as well as general feedback on all issues raised. This feedback will determine what changes will be made to the Act,” the Minister said.
Queenslanders can give their feedback on the discussion paper from 16 May to 27 June 2023, while feedback on all other issues will be open through to 15 August 2023.Â
Read the review.
