Cheap scalable clean energy is central to managing one of Australia’s biggest vulnerabilities – our exposure to economic and social damage from climate change – and to achieving one of our biggest opportunities – the growth of world-scale industries producing green energy intensive commodities. Our immediate transition challenge, to replace the energy services provided by ageing coal fired electricity generators, is large and urgent. Our opportunity in energy intensive industries is longer-term, but intimidatingly colossal. Greatly lifting productivity in the construction, delivery and use of energy can be a major contributor to Australian prosperity. This will require better planning, better processes and clearer priorities.

Key Recommendations

1. Streamline Environmental Approvals

• Reform the EPBC Act so national standards are enforced by accredited states.
• Pursue approvals that are time limited, coordinated and outcomes-focussed.

2. Improve Community Engagement

Communicate the shared benefits of energy projects for affordability, reliability, and climate.

3. Simplify Project Expectations

• Focus on delivering clean energy faster and cheaper.
• Reassess and reduce cumulative burdens on developers.

4. Embrace Automation and Smart Skills Planning

• Promote robotics, assistive tech, and machine learning.
• Align project skills with available workforce capacity.

5. Advance Smart Electrification

Use coordinated tools (such as price signals, standards, education) to ensure that smarter energy use and electrification lowers unit energy costs rather than raising them.

6. Evolve Clearer Carbon Signals

• Explore clearer market signals to govern generation emissions after the expected retirement of coal.
• Consider Border Carbon Adjustments to ensure climate policy does not cause carbon leakage.

7. Design Efficient Gas Security Policies

Allow supply- and demand-side options for gas suppliers to acquit potential forward-looking gas reservations.