New Senate Committee Targets Energy Sector Accountability

A new Senate committee, spearheaded by independent Senator David Van, will investigate the transparency and accountability of Australia’s energy regulators. This move comes as the country faces growing scrutiny over its energy transition plans, with particular attention on regulatory bodies overseeing electricity and gas markets. The committee will take a hard look at how decisions affecting the energy sector are made and whether the public is kept in the loop.

Van, who initially had Coalition backing, later gained government support by agreeing to a more neutral approach. With the committee due to deliver findings by December 20, there’s little time to assess some significant issues. These include reviewing the laws governing Australia’s energy markets and the roles of key regulatory bodies.