The Business Council of Australia (BCA) strives for a stronger Australia. We represent over 130 of Australia’s leading businesses. These include a range of organisations that are or will potentially be impacted by community of interest determinations (CIDs) undertaken by the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA), such as AGL, Origin, Energy Australia, as well as a range of maintenance service contracting businesses and coal mining companies.
The BCA has consistently advocated for a national independent transition authority to manage the country’s shift to net zero. We welcomed the creation of the NZEA in 2024 and have long supported coordination mechanisms to support a fair and orderly energy transition for workers and communities affected by the closure of emissions-intensive facilities. The BCA is engaged with the NZEA and other bodies established under the Net Zero Economy Authority Act 2024 (Cth) (Act), with one BCA representative on the NZEA Stakeholder Panel, and another appointed to the Energy Industry Workers Redeployment Advisory Group.
The closure of the Eraring Power Station is an important part of the energy transition in Australia. There has been significant planning already undertaken in preparation for this event. Following consultation with our member, Origin, we do not believe that Origin should be named in a CID and subject to the requirements of the Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) in the Act. Origin has taken significant, industry-leading proactive steps to support its workforce through this
transition. A change in these programs at this stage would be disruptive and risks the perverse outcome of undermining the positive work which has already occurred. It may also discourage other operators from undertaking similarly proactive, voluntary transition initiatives in the future.