The return of the Australian Labor Party to power following the federal election on May 3 has been welcomed by representatives of the energy sector. Industry bodies consider this political continuity essential to advancing long-awaited legislative reforms in the areas of environment, urban planning and public support for energy production.
Investment capacity and legal framework stability
The Clean Energy Council, Australia’s peak body for the renewable energy sector, believes that government stability creates the necessary conditions to extend mechanisms already in place, such as the Capacity Investment Scheme. This programme aims to ensure revenue for low-emission electricity producers to stimulate investment in solar, wind and long-duration storage.
The organisation also views the Albanese government’s re-election as a way to stay the course on structural legislative frameworks, including the Future Made in Australia Act, which was adopted to encourage the reshoring of key industrial energy value chains. Other priorities, such as modernising the electricity grid, remain high on the agenda according to industry feedback.
Promised reforms in planning and environmental law
The revision of environmental and land use approval processes remains a recurring demand from the industry. The government has announced its intention to amend existing laws to shorten approval times for large-scale energy projects, which are often delayed by complex administrative procedures.
Subsidies for home battery systems are also planned to enhance grid resilience and reduce peak demand. The Clean Energy Council stresses that these measures must be anchored within a stable regulatory framework to attract long-term project developers.
Gas sector under pressure, clarity needed on regulation
The gas sector, represented by Australian Energy Producers, is calling for the immediate implementation of the Future Gas Strategy. This strategic document is designed to secure domestic supply, ensure affordable consumer prices and restore Australia’s attractiveness for gas investors.
The organisation has raised concerns over persistent regulatory uncertainty around environmental approvals, which has already delayed several projects. While the country exported 82 million metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2024, according to EnergyQuest, questions remain over how to balance domestic needs with export commitments.
Building public trust in the energy transition
In response to shifting public perceptions of the energy transition, the Clean Energy Council launched an awareness campaign titled Clean energy works for Australia. The initiative aims to address public concerns around the cost and reliability of technologies—two of the most searched terms on its Energy Fact Check platform during the election period.
The organisation reports having reached several million Australians since January through digital channels. It considers this communication effort essential to sustain support for energy infrastructure projects in an overall cautious political environment.
