On Tuesday 23 April 2024, The Next Economy’s CEO Dr Amanda Cahill addressed a Senate Committee Public Hearing in Canberra on the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill 2024 and the Net Zero Economy Authority (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2024.
Dr Cahill recognised the importance of a national independent authority to support workers, industries, and regional communities to manage the transition to net zero.
She also highlighted the need for a broadening of the scope of the Authority to ensure it is fit for purpose long into the future. TNE’s four key recommendations were to:
- Expand the Authority’s role to support coal mining and gas regions not tied to domestic energy generation (fossil fuel exports) and other regions and economic sectors beyond fossil fuels (e.g. agricultural and critical mineral regions)
- Provide direct support to regions to build capacity to enable them to undertake place-based planning and coordination to better manage the complex range of tasks required over time (e.g. from investment and support to long-term community benefits)
- For the Authority to have independent funding to distribute at its own discretion to support regional planning, decision making, and economic development activities related to the transition.
- Have at least one NZEA board member with substantial experience in regional development, community development and/or the social sector.
For more information, visit the Parliament of Australia website.