Overview
The Australian Government released its comprehensive energy policy, Securing Australia’s Energy Future, on 15 June 2004. The energy white paper establishes the policy framework for the development of the energy sector in Australia.
Three objectives, prosperity, security, and sustainability, underpin Australia’s energy policy. In working to achieve these goals, the Government has undertaken substantial microeconomic reform and put policies in place to develop effective and efficient energy markets which continue to deliver energy at globally competitive prices.
This website provides a gateway to information on the implementation of energy white paper measures. It also provides information on significant achievements, new developments and continuing business.
News, recent developments, announcements
Recent significant achievement in the delivery of the energy white paper measures include:
• Climate Change and Energy: To date six projects, involving clean coal, solar, and carbon dioxide capture and storage, have received funding under the $500 million Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund. Also, 25 projects have received funding under the $100 million Renewable Energy Development Initiative. Four cities under the Solar Cities initiative have been announced. Five projects have received funding to promote Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies.
• Energy Efficiency: Mandatory Energy Efficiency Opportunities Assessments Registrations for the Energy Efficiency Opportunities program closed in March 2007.
• Electricity and Gas Markets: In November 2006, the Ministerial Council on Energy released a new Gas Legislative Package, comprising the new National Gas Law and National Gas Rules.
• Energy Security: National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee has been working to prepare the Liquid Fuel Emergency Amendment Bill 2007, which was introduced to the House of Representatives on 28 March 2007.
• Energy and the Environment: As Cleaner Fuel Incentives, from 1 January 2007, the Government increased excise (and customs) duty on diesel for a period of two years by the amount required to fund grant payments for the production or import of diesel with less than 10 ppm sulphur. The Green Vehicle Guide continues to be updated to include new releases in the car industry.
Aspects
The energy white paper covers all aspects of energy policy. Information on these aspects, which are listed below, can be accessed using the links on the left hand side.
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Resource Development
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Electricity and Gas Markets
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Transport Markets
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Fuel Excise Reform
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Energy Efficiency
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Energy Security
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Climate Change and Energy
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Energy and the Environment
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Innovation
Major Measures
Some of the major policy measures in energy are listed below: