Should landholders be able to refuse entry to officials planning new high-voltage power lines across their land, even after 30 business days' written notice?
Land access for new transmission lines
Both houses · 5 votes
Background
Transmission companies already had a legal right to enter land for surveys and works, but could enforce it only through a Supreme Court injunction (court order). The VicGrid Stage 2 Reform Bill 2025 moved transmission planning to a state body, VicGrid, and let authorised public-sector officers enter private land (not homes or buildings) after 30 business days' written notice, with Magistrates' Court entry orders and fines for obstruction if access is refused. A Council amendment to remove all these land-access provisions was defeated; the bill also set up grid-connection rules and community benefit funds.
What each side said
Summarised from the debate in Parliament, with sources below.
For “agree”
Those who wanted landholders to keep the right to refuse said the bill removes farmers' say over their own land — "This bill will allow forcible entry onto your land" (James Newbury, Liberal) — and the Coalition said "if elected next year, we will repeal it" (Danny O'Brien, Nationals); a Liberal said the costly Supreme Court route was a proper high bar, "and so it should be" (Wendy Lovell, Liberal, Council). One Nation objected to "powers that allow them to walk onto our land without our consent" (Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell). The Shooters, the Libertarian and Moira Deeming (now Family First) also voted on this side.
For “disagree”
The Government said new transmission is needed to replace coal and reach net zero, and that court entry orders are "a last-resort measure, and the bill includes numerous protections" (Ingrid Stitt, ALP, Council). The Greens supported the bill as a way off coal and gas, raised landholders' concerns about the steep fines with the Government — which said they were a last resort only a court could impose — and won an amendment letting the community energy fund also support biodiversity projects (Sarah Mansfield, 28 Aug 2025), and Legalise Cannabis and Animal Justice — while citing property rights — won amendments limiting entry to public-sector officers, halving penalties and requiring the court to consider the land access code (David Ettershank, Legalise Cannabis).
How the parties voted
Across the linked votes below. Second and third readings count five times as much as other votes. Parties are in alphabetical order. How this is worked out
| Party | Record | Votes with a party position |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | Consistently against | 3 of 3 |
| Greens | Consistently against | 5 of 5 |
| Labor | Consistently against | 5 of 5 |
| Legalise Cannabis | Consistently against | 3 of 3 |
| Liberal | Consistently for | 5 of 5 |
| Libertarian | Consistently for | 3 of 3 |
| Nationals | Consistently for | 5 of 5 |
| One Nation | Consistently for | 3 of 3 |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | Consistently for | 3 of 3 |
The votes behind this question
Each vote (division) recorded in Parliament that this question is based on, in date order.
31 July 2025 · Legislative Assembly
National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (Vicgrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025
- Question put
- Question — That this Bill be now read a second time — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 52, Noes 27.
- Matches “agree”
- A No vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Second reading (Assembly). Aye = support the bill; agree = No.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greens | 3 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 49 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 17 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 9 | No |
Independents, each counted on their own: Will Fowles (No)
Every name (Ayes 52, Noes 27) in the vote of 31 July 2025
Ayes (52)
Juliana Addison, Colin Brooks, Josh Bull, Anthony Carbines, Ben Carroll, Anthony Cianflone, Sarah Connolly, Chris Couzens, Jordan Crugnale, Lily D'Ambrosio, Daniela De Martino, Steve Dimopoulos, Paul Edbrooke, Eden Foster, Ella George, Luba Grigorovitch, Bronwyn Halfpenny, Katie Hall, Paul Hamer, Martha Haylett, Mathew Hilakari, Melissa Horne, Lauren Kathage, Sonya Kilkenny, Nathan Lambert, John Lister, Gary Maas, Alison Marchant, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Steve McGhie, Paul Mercurio, John Mullahy, Danny Pearson, Tim Read, Pauline Richards, Tim Richardson, Ellen Sandell, Michaela Settle, Ros Spence, Nick Staikos, Natalie Suleyman, Meng Heang Tak, Jackson Taylor, Nina Taylor, Kat Theophanous, Mary-Anne Thomas, Emma Vulin, Vicki Ward, Dylan Wight, Gabrielle Williams, Belinda Wilson, Gabrielle de Vietri
Noes (27)
Brad Battin, Jade Benham, Roma Britnell, Tim Bull, Martin Cameron, Annabelle Cleeland, Chris Crewther, Wayne Farnham, Will Fowles, Sam Groth, Matthew Guy, David Hodgett, Emma Kealy, Tim McCurdy, Cindy McLeish, James Newbury, Danny O'Brien, Kim O'Keeffe, John Pesutto, Richard Riordan, Brad Rowswell, David Southwick, Bridget Vallence, Peter Walsh, Kim Wells, Rachel Westaway, Jess Wilson
Official record: Votes and Proceedings Nos 131 to 134 (LA-60-134-02)
31 July 2025 · Legislative Assembly
National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (Vicgrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025
- Question put
- Question — That this Bill be now read a third time — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 52, Noes 27.
- Matches “agree”
- A No vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Third reading (Assembly). Aye = support the bill; agree = No.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greens | 3 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 49 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 17 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 9 | No |
Independents, each counted on their own: Will Fowles (No)
Every name (Ayes 52, Noes 27) in the vote of 31 July 2025
Ayes (52)
Juliana Addison, Colin Brooks, Josh Bull, Anthony Carbines, Ben Carroll, Anthony Cianflone, Sarah Connolly, Chris Couzens, Jordan Crugnale, Lily D'Ambrosio, Daniela De Martino, Steve Dimopoulos, Paul Edbrooke, Eden Foster, Ella George, Luba Grigorovitch, Bronwyn Halfpenny, Katie Hall, Paul Hamer, Martha Haylett, Mathew Hilakari, Melissa Horne, Lauren Kathage, Sonya Kilkenny, Nathan Lambert, John Lister, Gary Maas, Alison Marchant, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Steve McGhie, Paul Mercurio, John Mullahy, Danny Pearson, Tim Read, Pauline Richards, Tim Richardson, Ellen Sandell, Michaela Settle, Ros Spence, Nick Staikos, Natalie Suleyman, Meng Heang Tak, Jackson Taylor, Nina Taylor, Kat Theophanous, Mary-Anne Thomas, Emma Vulin, Vicki Ward, Dylan Wight, Gabrielle Williams, Belinda Wilson, Gabrielle de Vietri
Noes (27)
Brad Battin, Jade Benham, Roma Britnell, Tim Bull, Martin Cameron, Annabelle Cleeland, Chris Crewther, Wayne Farnham, Will Fowles, Sam Groth, Matthew Guy, David Hodgett, Emma Kealy, Tim McCurdy, Cindy McLeish, James Newbury, Danny O'Brien, Kim O'Keeffe, John Pesutto, Richard Riordan, Brad Rowswell, David Southwick, Bridget Vallence, Peter Walsh, Kim Wells, Rachel Westaway, Jess Wilson
Official record: Votes and Proceedings Nos 131 to 134 (LA-60-134-03)
28 August 2025 · Legislative Council
National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (Vicgrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025
- Question put
- 9 NATIONAL ELECTRICITY (VICTORIA) AMENDMENT (VICGRID STAGE 2 REFORM) BILL 2025 — Debate resumed on the question, That the Bill be now read a second time.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 21, Noes 17.
- Matches “agree”
- A No vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Second reading (Council). Aye = support the bill; agree = No.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 14 | 0 | Aye |
| Legalise Cannabis | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 11 | No |
| Libertarian | 0 | 1 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 2 | No |
| One Nation | 0 | 1 | No |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 0 | 1 | No |
Independents, each counted on their own: Adem Somyurek (No)
Every name (Ayes 21, Noes 17) in the vote of 28 August 2025
Ayes (21)
Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Anasina Gray-Barberio, Shaun Leane, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Sheena Watt
Noes (17)
Melina Bath, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Moira Deeming, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Nick McGowan, Adem Somyurek, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Richard Welch
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 128, 129 and 130 (LC-60-130-01)
28 August 2025 · Legislative Council
National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (Vicgrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025
- Question put
- Ingrid Stitt moved, That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 21, Noes 16.
- Matches “agree”
- A No vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Third reading (Council). Aye = support the bill; agree = No.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 14 | 0 | Aye |
| Legalise Cannabis | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 11 | No |
| Libertarian | 0 | 1 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 2 | No |
| One Nation | 0 | 1 | No |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 0 | 1 | No |
Every name (Ayes 21, Noes 16) in the vote of 28 August 2025
Ayes (21)
Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Michael Galea, Anasina Gray-Barberio, Shaun Leane, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Gayle Tierney, Sheena Watt
Noes (16)
Melina Bath, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Moira Deeming, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Nick McGowan, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Richard Welch
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 128, 129 and 130 (LC-60-130-02)
28 August 2025 · Legislative Council
National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (Vicgrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025
- Question put
- Question — That the amendment be agreed to — put.
- Result
- Question negatived. Ayes 17, Noes 21.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Normal
- Why it's linked
- Council committee vote on Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell's amendment RT11C, which the Government said "would remove all land access provisions from the bill"; the Coalition called it "identical to ours" (Hansard, 28 Aug 2025). Aye = remove the land-access powers; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 0 | 1 | No |
| Greens | 0 | 4 | No |
| Labor | 0 | 14 | No |
| Legalise Cannabis | 0 | 2 | No |
| Liberal | 11 | 0 | Aye |
| Libertarian | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| One Nation | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 1 | 0 | Aye |
Independents, each counted on their own: Adem Somyurek (Aye)
Every name (Ayes 17, Noes 21) in the vote of 28 August 2025
Ayes (17)
Melina Bath, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Moira Deeming, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Nick McGowan, Adem Somyurek, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Richard Welch
Noes (21)
Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Michael Galea, Anasina Gray-Barberio, Shaun Leane, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Gayle Tierney, Sheena Watt
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 128, 129 and 130 (LC-60-130-13)
Sources
- EM: https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/bills/601063exi1.DOCX ;
- Second reading (Lily D'Ambrosio - statement of compatibility and second reading, VicGrid Bill 2024, 2024-03-06)
- Opposition (James Newbury (lead, 2024 bill), 2024-03-21)
- Crossbench (Tim Read (2024 bill: 'The Greens support this bill'), The Australian Greens (self-identified; not in members-assembly-current.json))
- Crossbench (Sarah Mansfield (2024 bill, supported), The Australian Greens - Victoria)
- News: ABC News (ABC Rural) (2025-08-29); AAP (2025-07-30); Stock & Land (2025-07-30)
- Full list: Sources tab (32 items).
Spotted a mistake? Report a problem