LNP completes scrapping of green energy targets
New laws repealing all of Queensland’s renewable energy targets have been tabled, as the LNP checks off its election commitment to scrap benchmarks set by the former Labor government.
New laws repealing all of Queensland’s renewable energy targets and abolishing three statutory bodies have been tabled to parliament, as the LNP checks off its election commitment to scrap benchmarks set by the former Labor government.
The repeal follows the release of the Energy Roadmap last Friday, which claimed Labor’s mandated targets — 0 per cent by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035 — would have required a “highly ambitious” and expensive construction schedule for new generation in order to bring forward coal closures.
The Crisafulli government has argued that forcing the state to meet the renewable targets would cost an additional $26bn by 2035 due to cost escalations in wind, pumped-hydro and transmission projects, with the roadmap costing Labor’s build under the former Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan at $86bn.
Energy Minister David Janetzki said amending the Energy Act would “reflect a more pragmatic approach” to planning.
“The Clean Energy Council has reported an investment pipeline of more than 4.7 gigawatts of renewable generation capacity in wind and solar under construction or financially committed, on top of around 4.2 gigawatts of operational capacity as at June 2025,” he said.
“No renewable energy zone has yet been declared, so it is sensible to ensure the framework is flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.”
The legislation also abolishes three statutory bodies: the Energy Industry Council, the Queensland Energy System Advisory Board and the Queensland Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate.
The council was tasked with dealing with workforce impacts from coal closures, while the board was set up to advise on renewable targets and system planning, and the advocate used to consult with communities and stakeholders.
The government has argued the entities created unnecessary costs and bureaucracy as their functions overlapped with existing government responsibilities.
“The council held one meeting … the advisory board has held eight meetings in total, two under the former government,” Mr Janetzki said.
“Such governance arrangements do not need to be enshrined in legislation and have rarely been used.”
The bill also confirms the state will retain 100 per cent public ownership of its existing government-owned energy corporations.
Both Labor and the Greens voted down the legislation, but were overruled by the majority LNP government.
When passed, the existing Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024 will be retitled as the Energy (Infrastructure Facilitation) Act 2024.
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