Should government control of the State Electricity Commission, and its renewable-energy-only role, be written into Victoria's Constitution so they are harder to change?
SEC control and purpose written into the Constitution
Both houses · 3 votes
Background
The State Electricity Commission (SEC) is a state-owned energy company. The Constitution Amendment (SEC) Bill 2023 added a part to Victoria's Constitution requiring the state to keep control of the SEC (all votes and all directors), setting its renewable-energy purposes, and banning it from owning or investing in fossil-fuel facilities or, after a Greens amendment, paying dividends. A Legalise Cannabis-requested amendment added investment in emerging technologies. Changing these provisions now needs a three-fifths majority in each house of Parliament.
What each side said
Summarised from the debate in Parliament, with sources below.
For “agree”
Supporters said entrenching the SEC in the Constitution protects it "to safeguard its enduring existence and ownership by the State" (Lily D'Ambrosio, ALP, second reading) and that the old SEC's privatisation raised prices. The Greens supported it after the no-dividends amendment, and the Shooters said "essential services such as electricity should be held by the state" (Jeff Bourman). Legalise Cannabis and Animal Justice also voted on this side.
For “disagree”
Opponents said policy does not belong in the Constitution — "It is not the place for policy" (Evan Mulholland, Liberal) — that it binds future parliaments and locks in the SEC's objectives (Moira Deeming, now Family First), and that the SEC does nothing for reliable or affordable power: "It does not provide secure, reliable energy" (James Newbury, Liberal). The Libertarian opposed entrenching any policy in the Constitution. One Nation also voted on this side.
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 for | 2 of 2 |
| Greens | Consistently for | 3 of 3 |
| Labor | Consistently for | 3 of 3 |
| Legalise Cannabis | Consistently for | 2 of 2 |
| Liberal | Consistently against | 3 of 3 |
| Libertarian | Consistently against | 2 of 2 |
| Nationals | Consistently against | 3 of 3 |
| One Nation | Consistently against | 1 of 2 |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | Consistently for | 2 of 2 |
The votes behind this question
Each vote (division) recorded in Parliament that this question is based on, in date order.
5 March 2024 · Legislative Assembly
Constitution Amendment (Sec) Bill 2023 And State Electricity Commission Amendment Bill 2023
- Question put
- Question — That this Bill be now read a third time — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 58, Noes 27.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Third reading (Assembly). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 54 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 18 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 9 | No |
Every name (Ayes 58, Noes 27) in the vote of 5 March 2024
Ayes (58)
Juliana Addison, Jacinta Allan, Colin Brooks, Josh Bull, Anthony Carbines, Ben Carroll, Darren Cheeseman, Anthony Cianflone, Sarah Connolly, Chris Couzens, Jordan Crugnale, Lily D'Ambrosio, Daniela De Martino, Steve Dimopoulos, Paul Edbrooke, Eden Foster, Matt Fregon, Ella George, Luba Grigorovitch, Bronwyn Halfpenny, Katie Hall, Paul Hamer, Martha Haylett, Sam Hibbins, Mathew Hilakari, Melissa Horne, Natalie Hutchins, Lauren Kathage, Sonya Kilkenny, Nathan Lambert, Gary Maas, Alison Marchant, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Steve McGhie, Paul Mercurio, John Mullahy, Tim Pallas, 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, Iwan Walters, 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, Sam Groth, Matthew Guy, David Hodgett, Emma Kealy, Tim McCurdy, Cindy McLeish, James Newbury, Danny O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Kim O'Keeffe, John Pesutto, Richard Riordan, Brad Rowswell, David Southwick, Bridget Vallence, Peter Walsh, Kim Wells, Nicole Werner, Jess Wilson
Official record: Votes and Proceedings Nos 60 to 62 (LA-60-060-04)
12 September 2024 · Legislative Council
Constitution Amendment (Sec) Bill 2023
- Question put
- 10 CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT (SEC) BILL 2023 — Debate resumed on the question, That the Bill be now read a second time.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 23, Noes 15.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Second reading (Council). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 15 | 0 | Aye |
| Legalise Cannabis | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 11 | No |
| Libertarian | 0 | 1 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 2 | No |
| One Nation | 0 | 0 | Did not vote |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 1 | 0 | Aye |
Independents, each counted on their own: Moira Deeming (No)
Every name (Ayes 23, Noes 15) in the vote of 12 September 2024
Ayes (23)
Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Jeff Bourman, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Michael Galea, Shaun Leane, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell, Samantha Ratnam, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Sheena Watt
Noes (15)
Melina Bath, 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, Evan Mulholland, Richard Welch
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 83, 84 and 85 (LC-60-085-03)
12 September 2024 · Legislative Council
Constitution Amendment (Sec) Bill 2023
- Question put
- Question — That the Bill be now read a third time — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 24, Noes 16.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Third reading (Council). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 15 | 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 | 1 | 0 | Aye |
Independents, each counted on their own: Moira Deeming (No), Adem Somyurek (Aye)
Every name (Ayes 24, Noes 16) in the vote of 12 September 2024
Ayes (24)
Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Jeff Bourman, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Michael Galea, Shaun Leane, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell, Samantha Ratnam, Harriet Shing, Adem Somyurek, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Sheena Watt
Noes (16)
Melina Bath, 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, Evan Mulholland, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Richard Welch
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 83, 84 and 85 (LC-60-085-05)
Sources
- EM: https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/bills/601050exi1.docx ;
- Second reading (Lily D'Ambrosio (Minister for the State Electricity Commission) - statement of compatibility and second reading, Constitution Amendment (SEC) Bill 2023, 2023-11-16)
- Opposition (James Newbury (lead, cognate debate on both bills), 2024-03-05)
- Crossbench (Tim Read, The Australian Greens (self-identified in speech: 'I rise to speak on behalf of the Greens'; not listed in members-assembly-current.json))
- Crossbench (Sarah Mansfield, The Australian Greens - Victoria)
- News: Bendigo Advertiser (AAP) (2024-10-15); AAP (2023-11-15); Latrobe Valley Express (2024-10-23)
- Full list: Sources tab (31 items).
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