Western Victoria Region
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:41): (110) My question is for the Minister for Energy and Resources and relates to the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West and Western Renewables Link ministerial order published on 20 February. One effect of the order is to disapply the National Electricity Rules process, including the RIT-T. This regulatory investment test for transmission is an established requirement to determine optimal transmission routes, balancing price, quality, safety, reliability and security of supply. The National Electricity (Victoria) Act 2005 did not include this power to disapply until amended in 2020. A legal challenge to the validity of the decision made by the Australian Energy Market Operator in relation to the RIT-T for the WRL project was launched in the Victorian Supreme Court on 23 December last year. Minister, did your decision to use this power occur before or after you become aware of the Supreme Court proceedings, and was it motivated by it?