Victorian Bills

[Index] [Search] [Download] [Related Items] [Help]


This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.


ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY ACTS (FURTHER AMENDMENT) BILL 1999

                 PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act
                        1999
                                  Act No.


                     TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause                                                              Page

PART 1--PRELIMINARY                                                    1
  1.     Purpose                                                       1
  2.     Commencement                                                  2

PART 2--ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY ACT 1993                                  3
  3.     Enforcement Officer                                           3
  4.     Amendment of sections 47B and 47C                             3
  5.     Powers of Minister                                            3
  6.     Amendment of section 47D                                      5
  7.     Section 47G substituted                                       7
         47G. Immunity from suit                                       7
  8.     New sections 47H to 47M inserted                              7
         47H. Powers of entry--enforcement                             7
         47I.    Occupier to be given copy of consent                  8
         47J.    Search warrant                                        8
         47K. Announcement before entry                                9
         47L.    Copy of warrant to be given to occupier              10
         47M. Person authorised by Office can bring proceedings       10
  9.     New Part 3AA inserted                                        11
         PART 3AA--INFRINGEMENT NOTICES                               11
         47N.    Definition                                           11
         47O.    Power to serve a notice                              12
         47P.    Form of notice                                       12
         47Q.    Infringement penalties                               13
         47R.    Late payment of penalty                              14
         47S.    Withdrawal of notice                                 14
         47T.    Payment expiates offence                             15
         47U.    Payment not to have certain consequences             15
         47V.    Prosecution after service of infringement notice     15
         47W.    Enforcement of infringement penalty                  16

  10.    New section 62AA inserted                                    16



                                      i
532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Clause Page 62AA. Minister may direct transfer of property 16 11. Amendments consequential on section 10 18 12. New section 91C inserted 18 91C. Supreme Court--limitation of jurisdiction 18 13. VPX as transferor company 19 14. Correction of Year 2000 figures in Tariff Order 19 SCHEDULE 4--Table substituted in tariff order 19 15. Transfer of licence 20 16. VENCorp to succeed VPX 21 17. Company to succeed statutory corporation 21 18. Part 2A substituted 21 PART 2A--ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION 21 41A. Electricity transmission 22 19. Further amendments to Electricity Industry Act 1993 22 PART 3--ELECTRICITY SAFETY ACT 1998 23 20. Enforcement officers 23 21. Power to give directions 24 22. Sections 141A and 141B inserted 24 141A. Additional powers in emergencies 24 141B. Delegation by chief electrical inspector 25 PART 4--AMENDMENT OF OTHER ACTS 26 23. Gas Industry (Amendment) Act 1998 26 24. Gas Industry Act 1994 26 16CA. Functions and powers relating to electricity 26 25. Gas Industry (Amendment) Act 1998 26 26. Magistrates' Court Act 1989 26 56C. Electricity Industry Act 1993 26 56D. Electricity Safety Act 1998 26 NOTES 28 ii 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA Initiated in Assembly 5 May 1999 As amended by Assembly 28 May 1999 A BILL to amend the Electricity Industry Act 1993 and the Electricity Safety Act 1998 and for other purposes. Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows: PART 1--PRELIMINARY 1. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to make certain amendments to the Electricity Industry Act 1993 5 and the Electricity Safety Act 1998. 1 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 2 Act No. 2. Commencement (1) This Act, except sections 8, 16, 17, 18 and 19, comes into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent. 5 (2) Sections 16, 17, 18 and 19 come into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed. (3) Subject to sub-section (4), section 8 comes into operation on a day to be proclaimed. (4) If section 8 does not come into operation before 10 1 July 2000, it comes into operation on that day. _______________ 2 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 3 Act No. PART 2--ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY ACT 1993 3. Enforcement Officer In section 3(1) of the Electricity Industry Act 1993, insert-- 5 ' "enforcement officer" means a person appointed as an enforcement officer under Part 11 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998.'. 4. Amendment of sections 47B and 47C (1) In section 47B(1) of the Electricity Industry Act 10 1993, for paragraph (a) substitute-- "(a) an event has occurred, or is about to occur, which may endanger an undertaking of a distribution company, a transmission company or a generation company or a 15 person who supplies electricity to another person or materially affect the safe, economical or effective supply of electricity; or". (2) In section 47C(1) of the Electricity Industry Act 20 1993, for paragraph (a) substitute-- "(a) protect any undertaking of a distribution company, a transmission company or a generation company or a person who supplies electricity to another person; or". 25 5. Powers of Minister (1) After section 47C(1)(d) of the Electricity Industry Act 1993 insert-- " or (e) regulate the use of the available supply of 30 electricity, having regard to the needs of the community.". 3 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 5 Act No. (2) In section 47C(2)(a) of the Electricity Industry Act 1993 after "direct," insert "authorise conduct in relation to,". (3) After section 47C(3)(c) of the Electricity 5 Industry Act 1993 insert-- "; and (d) subject to sub-section (6A), takes effect when made or, if a later time is specified in the direction, at that later time; and 10 (e) has effect as if enacted in this Act.". (4) In section 47C(4) of the Electricity Industry Act 1993, after "direction" insert "including a direction under sub-section (6)". (5) In section 47C of the Electricity Industry Act 15 1993, for sub-section (6) substitute-- "(6) The Minister may at any time by direction under this section amend or revoke a direction made, or purportedly made, under this section or may return requisitioned 20 property. (6A) If a direction of the Minister under sub- section (6) amending an earlier direction for the purpose of correcting a defect, mistake or omission-- 25 (a) includes the statement that the earlier direction is deemed to have been made as so amended; and (b) is made not later than 3 months after the earlier direction was made-- 30 the earlier direction is deemed to have been made as so amended.". (6) In section 47C(10) of the Electricity Industry Act 1993-- 4 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (a) for "The revocation" substitute "The amendment, revocation"; (b) in paragraphs (b) and (c), after "direction" insert "before the amendment, revocation or 5 expiry". 6. Amendment of section 47D In section 47D of the Electricity Industry Act 1993, for sub-sections (7), (8) and (9) substitute-- 10 '(7) A person must not contravene sub-section (1), (2) or (3). Penalty: in the case of a natural person, 100 penalty units. in the case of a body corporate, 15 10 000 penalty units. (8) An offence by a body corporate under sub- section (7) is an indictable offence. (9) If an offence is committed by a person by reason of a failure to comply, within the 20 period specified in a direction under sub- section (1), with the requirements specified in the direction, the offence, for the purposes of sub-section (10) is deemed to continue so long as any requirement specified in the 25 direction remains undone, whether or not the period has elapsed. (10) If, under sub-section (9), an offence is deemed to continue, the person who committed the offence commits an additional 30 offence on each day during which the offence is deemed to continue and is liable, upon conviction for such an additional offence, to a penalty not exceeding one tenth of the penalty for the first-mentioned 35 offence. 5 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (11) If a body corporate commits an offence against this section, any officer of the body corporate who was in any way, by act or omission, directly or indirectly knowingly 5 concerned in or party to the commission of the offence is also guilty of that offence and liable to the penalty for it. (12) An offence under sub-section (11) is an indictable offence. 10 (13) A person may be proceeded against and convicted under a provision in accordance with sub-section (11) whether or not the body corporate has been proceeded against or convicted under that provision. 15 (14) If in a proceeding for an offence against this section it is necessary to establish the intention of a body corporate, it is sufficient to show that a servant or agent of the body corporate had that intention. 20 (15) In sub-section (11), "officer", in relation to a body corporate, means-- (a) a director, secretary or executive officer of the body corporate; or (b) any person in accordance with whose 25 directions or instructions the directors of the body corporate are accustomed to act; or (c) a person concerned in the management of the body corporate. 30 (16) If this section provides that a person is guilty of an offence, that reference to a person must-- (a) in the case of a partnership, be read as a reference to each member of the 35 partnership; and 6 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 7 Act No. (b) in the case of an unincorporated body or association, be read as a reference to each member of the committee of management of the body or 5 association.'. 7. Section 47G substituted For section 47G of the Electricity Industry Act 1993 substitute-- "47G. Immunity from suit 10 A person acting in good faith in the execution of this Part or any proclamation or direction under this Part is not liable to any action, claim or demand on account of any damage, loss or injury sustained or alleged to 15 be sustained because of the operation of this Part or of any thing done or purporting to be done under this Part or any proclamation or direction under this Part.". 8. New sections 47H to 47M inserted 20 After section 47G of the Electricity Industry Act 1993 insert-- '47H. Powers of entry--enforcement (1) If an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is on any 25 land or premises a particular thing that may be evidence of the commission of an offence against this Part, the enforcement officer may-- (a) enter the land or premises; and 30 (b) search for the thing. (2) An enforcement officer must not enter land or premises under this section except-- 7 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 8 Act No. (a) with the written consent of the occupier of the land or premises; or (b) under the authority of a search warrant. 47I. Occupier to be given copy of consent 5 (1) An occupier who consents in writing to entry of his or her land or premises under section 47H must be given a copy of the signed consent immediately. (2) If, in any proceeding, a written consent is not 10 produced to the court, it must be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the occupier did not consent to the entry and search. 47J. Search warrant (1) An enforcement officer may apply to a 15 magistrate for the issue of a search warrant in relation to particular land or premises if the enforcement officer believes on reasonable grounds that there is, or may be within the next 72 hours, on the land or 20 premises a particular thing that may be evidence of the commission of an offence against this Part. (2) A magistrate may issue a search warrant under this section if the magistrate is 25 satisfied by evidence on oath, whether oral or by affidavit, that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is, or may be within the next 72 hours, on land or premises a particular thing that may be 30 evidence of the commission of an offence against this Part. (3) The search warrant may authorise an enforcement officer named in the warrant and any assistants the enforcement officer 35 considers necessary-- 8 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 8 Act No. (a) to enter the land or premises, or part of the land or premises, named or described in the warrant; and (b) to search for the thing named or 5 described in the warrant. (4) In addition to any other requirement, a search warrant issued under this section must state-- (a) the offence suspected; and 10 (b) the land or premises to be searched; and (c) a description of the thing for which the search is to be made; and (d) any conditions to which the warrant is subject; and 15 (e) whether entry is authorised to be made at any time or during stated hours; and (f) a day, not later than 7 days after the issue of the warrant, on which the warrant ceases to have effect. 20 (5) A search warrant must be issued in accordance with the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 and in the form prescribed under that Act. (6) The rules to be observed with respect to 25 search warrants mentioned in the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 extend and apply to warrants under this section. 47K. Announcement before entry (1) Before executing a search warrant, the 30 enforcement officer named in the warrant or a person assisting the enforcement officer named in the warrant must-- 9 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 8 Act No. (a) announce that he or she is authorised by the warrant to enter the land or premises; and (b) give any person at the land or premises 5 an opportunity to allow entry to the land or premises. (2) The enforcement officer or a person assisting the enforcement officer need not comply with sub-section (1) if he or she believes on 10 reasonable grounds that immediate entry to the land or premises is required to ensure-- (a) the safety of any person; or (b) that the effective execution of the warrant is not frustrated. 15 47L. Copy of warrant to be given to occupier If the occupier or another person who apparently represents the occupier is present at the land or premises when a search warrant is being executed, the enforcement 20 officer must-- (a) identify himself or herself to that person by producing his or her identity card for inspection by that person; and (b) give to that person a copy of the 25 execution copy of the warrant. 47M. Person authorised by Office can bring proceedings (1) A person authorised by the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector either generally or 30 in a particular case to bring proceedings for an offence against this Part, may bring those proceedings. (2) If proceedings referred to in sub-section (1) are brought by a person authorised to do so, 10 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 9 Act No. the proceedings may be conducted by any other person authorised by the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector to bring proceedings of that kind. 5 (3) All courts must take judicial notice of the fact that a person is authorised by the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector to bring proceedings referred to in sub-section (1) or conduct proceedings under sub-section (2), 10 as the case requires. (4) In this section "Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector" means the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector established under Part 2 of the Electricity Safety Act 15 1998.'. 9. New Part 3AA inserted Before Part 4 of the Electricity Industry Act 1993 insert-- 'PART 3AA--INFRINGEMENT NOTICES 20 47N. Definition (1) In this Part-- "prescribed offence" means an offence against section 47D(7) constituted by the use of electricity by a person in 25 contravention of a direction under section 47C of which the person is aware and which applies to the person. (2) A person is deemed to be aware of a direction if the Minister has caused-- 30 (a) the direction to be published in a newspaper circulating in the area in which the direction applies; or 11 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 9 Act No. (b) details of the direction to be broadcast by means of radio or television transmission in the area in which the direction applies. 5 (3) In any proceedings for a prescribed offence against this section, a certificate purporting to be signed by the Minister to the effect that details of a direction were broadcast by means of radio or television transmission in 10 a particular area on a specified day is prima facie evidence of the facts set out in the certificate. (4) In any proceedings for a prescribed offence against this section, it is sufficient defence 15 for the defendant to prove that at the time of the commission of the offence, the defendant-- (a) did not know; and (b) could not reasonably have known-- 20 of the direction. 47O. Power to serve a notice (1) An enforcement officer may serve an infringement notice on any person that he or she has reason to believe has committed a 25 prescribed offence. (2) An infringement notice may be served on a person-- (a) by delivering it personally to the person; or 30 (b) by sending it by post addressed to the person's last known place of residence or business. 47P. Form of notice 12 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 Act No. An infringement notice must state-- (a) the date of the notice; (b) that section 47N creates the offence; (c) the nature, and a brief description, of 5 the alleged offence; (d) the date, time and place of the alleged offence; (e) the infringement penalty for the alleged offence; 10 (f) the manner in which the infringement penalty may be paid; (g) the time (being not less than 28 days after the date on which the notice is served) within which the infringement 15 penalty must be paid; (h) that, if the amount of the infringement penalty is paid before the end of the time specified in the notice, the matter will not be brought before the 20 Magistrates' Court unless the notice is withdrawn within 28 days after the date on which it was served; (i) that the person is entitled to disregard the notice and defend any proceedings 25 in respect of the offences in the Magistrates' Court; (j) any other prescribed particulars. 47Q. Infringement penalties The infringement penalty for an offence 30 against a prescribed offence is $500 in the case of a natural person and $1000 in the case of a body corporate. 13 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 9 Act No. 47R. Late payment of penalty An enforcement officer may accept payment of the infringement penalty even after the expiration of the time for payment stated in 5 the infringement notice if-- (a) neither a charge has been filed nor a courtesy letter served under Part 2 of Schedule 7 to the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 in respect of the offence to 10 which the infringement penalty relates; and (b) the infringement notice has not been withdrawn. 47S. Withdrawal of notice 15 (1) An enforcement officer may withdraw an infringement notice at any time within 28 days after the date on which the notice was served by serving a withdrawal notice on the person served with the infringement 20 notice. (2) A withdrawal notice may be served on a person-- (a) by delivering it personally to the person; or 25 (b) by sending it by post addressed to the person's last known place of residence or business. (3) An infringement notice may be withdrawn even if the infringement penalty has been 30 paid. (4) If an infringement notice is withdrawn, the amount of any infringement penalty paid must be refunded and the Consolidated Fund 14 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 9 Act No. is, to the necessary extent, appropriated accordingly. 47T. Payment expiates offence If an infringement notice is not withdrawn 5 and the infringement penalty is paid within the time for payment stated in the notice or is accepted in accordance with section 47R then-- (a) the person on whom the notice was 10 served has expiated the offence by that payment; and (b) no proceedings may be taken against that person in respect of that offence; and 15 (c) no conviction is to be taken to have been recorded against that person for that offence. 47U. Payment not to have certain consequences (1) The payment of an infringement penalty 20 under this Part is not and must not be taken to be-- (a) an admission of guilt in relation to the offence; or (b) an admission of liability for the purpose 25 of any civil claim or proceeding arising out of the same occurrence and the payment does not in any way affect or prejudice any such claim or proceeding. (2) The payment of an infringement penalty 30 under this Part must not be referred to in any report provided to a court for the purpose of determining sentence for an offence. 47V. Prosecution after service of infringement notice 15 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 10 Act No. A charge may be filed in respect of an offence to which an infringement notice relates if-- (a) the infringement penalty has not been 5 paid within the time for payment stated in the notice or in accordance with section 47R; or (b) the notice is withdrawn. 47W. Enforcement of infringement penalty 10 Payment of the infringement penalty may be enforced in accordance with Part 2 of Schedule 7 of the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 if-- (a) the infringement notice is an 15 infringement notice within the meaning of Schedule 7 to that Act; and (b) the infringement penalty has not been paid within the time stated in the notice or in accordance with section 47R; and 20 (c) the notice has not been withdrawn; and (d) a charge has not been filed in accordance with section 47V.'. 10. New section 62AA inserted After section 62A of the Electricity Industry Act 25 1993 insert-- '62AA. Minister may direct transfer of property (1) The Minister may give a direction in writing to SEC directing it to transfer property, rights and liabilities of a specified kind to the 30 State or a person or persons nominated in 16 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 Act No. writing by the Minister or to any 2 or more of the State and such a person or persons in accordance with the direction. (2) Within 3 months after receiving a direction 5 under sub-section (1), SEC must give to the Minister a statement approved by the Minister relating to the property, rights and liabilities of SEC, as at a date specified by the Minister for the purposes of this section. 10 (3) A statement under this section-- (a) must allocate the property, rights and liabilities of SEC shown in the statement in accordance with the directions of the Minister; and 15 (b) must be signed by the Administrator. (4) If a statement under this section is approved by the Treasurer and the Minister-- (a) the Treasurer and the Minister must sign the statement; and 20 (b) the statement is an allocation statement for the purposes of this Part. (5) The Treasurer and the Minister may at any time direct SEC to amend a statement given to them under this section as specified in the 25 direction. (6) An allocation statement under this section may be amended by writing signed by the Treasurer and the Minister. (7) If the Treasurer and the Minister, with the 30 agreement of SEC, declare that a statement given under this section by SEC has become irrevocable-- (a) the statement; and 17 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 11 12 Act No. (b) the date specified for the purposes of this section in relation to the statement-- as at the date of the declaration may not be 5 amended. (8) In this section, "statement" and "allocation statement" include a statement or allocation statement amended in accordance with this section.'. 10 11. Amendments consequential on section 10 In the Electricity Industry Act 1993-- (a) in section 3(1), in the definition of "allocation day", after "section 62A(1)" insert "or specified by the Minister for the 15 purposes of section 62AA"; (b) in section 3(1), in the definition of "transferred property", after "62A" insert "or 62AA"; (c) in section 3(1), in the definition of 20 "transferee", after "62A" insert "or 62AA"; (d) in section 66A, after "62A" (where twice occurring) insert "or 62AA"; (e) in section 68, after "62A" insert "or 62AA"; (f) in section 74, after "62A" (where twice 25 occurring) insert "or 62AA"; (g) in section 76, after "62A" (where twice occurring) insert "or 62AA". 12. New section 91C inserted After section 91B of the Electricity Industry Act 30 1993 insert-- "91C. Supreme Court--limitation of jurisdiction 18 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 14 Act No. It is the intention of section 47G to alter or vary section 85 of the Constitution Act 1975.". 13. VPX as transferor company 5 In the Electricity Industry Act 1993-- (a) in section 153TQ(1), in the definition of "transferor company", for "VPX" substitute "Victorian Power Exchange Pty Ltd A.C.N. 080 200 371". 10 (b) in section 153TR(2), for "VPX" substitute "Victorian Power Exchange Pty Ltd A.C.N. 080 200 371.". 14. Correction of Year 2000 figures in Tariff Order (1) After section 158C(5) of the Electricity Industry 15 Act 1993 insert-- "(6) The Order in Council made under section 158C on 28 October 1997 and published in the Government Gazette on 30 October 1997 has effect, and is deemed always to have had 20 effect, as if for the table set out in Part A of Attachment 6 in the Order there were substituted the table set out in Schedule 4 of this Act.". (2) After Schedule 3C of the Electricity Industry 25 Act 1993 insert-- "SCHEDULE 4 Section 158C(6) TABLE SUBSTITUTED IN TARIFF ORDER 19 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 15 Act No. 1 July 2000- FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 31 December 2000 1995(1) Customer 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Network VPX 149 398 216 210 073 465 214 579 919 220 481 261 224 132 134 226 325 289 114 107 095 Connection Charges Loy Yang Power Station 1 752 219 2 445 457 2 426 945 2 400 761 2 341 723 2 296 291 877 257 Loy Yang B Power Station 542 000 1 987 697 1 979 491 1 991 631 1 961 551 1 931 766 945 843 Hazelwood Power Station 1 106 274 1 533 332 1 502 967 1 494 625 1 440 586 1 386 867 658 021 Yallourn W Power Station 705 342 1 004 875 1 002 422 1 016 145 996 303 976 696 472 172 Newport Power Station 1 472 427 2 064 432 2 044 448 2 051 709 2 002 434 1 953 554 942 805 Jeeralang Power Station 227 820 319 418 316 325 317 449 309 825 302 262 145 875 Eildon Power 178 192 255 657 257 933 266 632 262 004 257 469 123 414 Station CitiPower 5 048 767 6 972 838 6 956 647 6 587 972 6 398 314 6 702 215 3 574 546 Eastern 5 835 781 8 061 822 8 040 292 7 641 417 8 038 254 8 223 657 4 385 990 Powercor 9 429 315 13 014 181 12 982 380 12 328 026 12 256 183 12 834 563 6 845 161 United 6 466 877 8 933 957 8 904 439 8 415 727 8 103 555 8 054 830 4 295 948 Solaris 4 246 904 5 859 473 5 846 522 5 538 244 5 383 449 5 669 561 3 023 793 TOTAL 186 410 134 262 526 603 266 840 731 270 531 599 273 626 315 276 915 020 140 397 921 Notes: (1) These figures are calculated for the 9 months of the Financial Year commencing on 3 October 1994 and ending on 30 June 1995.". 15. Transfer of licence 20 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 Act No. In section 167(6) of the Electricity Industry Act 1993, for all words after paragraph (c) substitute-- "the proposed transferee is a corporation or a 5 statutory authority". 16. VENCorp to succeed VPX In the Electricity Industry Act 1993-- (a) in section 3(1), the definition of "PoolCo" is repealed; 10 (b) in section 3(1) insert-- ' "VENCorp" means Victorian Energy Networks Corporation established under Part 2A of the Gas Industry Act 1994;'; 15 (c) in section 3(1), for the definitions of "Victorian Power Exchange" and "VPX" substitute-- ' "Victorian Power Exchange" or "VPX" means VENCorp;'. 20 17. Company to succeed statutory corporation In section 3(1) of the Electricity Industry Act 1993, for the definition of "VENCorp" substitute-- ' "VENCorp" means Victorian Energy Networks 25 Corporation Pty Ltd A.C.N. 081 026 066;'. 18. Part 2A substituted For Part 2A of the Electricity Industry Act 1993 substitute-- "PART 2A--ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION 21 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 19 Act No. 41A. Electricity transmission (1) Without limiting any other functions of VENCorp, the functions of VENCorp in relation to the electricity industry are-- 5 (a) to plan, and direct the augmentation of, the electricity transmission system; (b) to provide information and other services to facilitate decisions for investment and the use of resources in 10 the electricity industry. (2) This section has effect subject to the National Electricity (Victoria) Law and the National Electricity Code.". 19. Further amendments to Electricity Industry Act 1993 15 In the Electricity Industry Act 1993-- (a) in section 4(1), omit "VPX," (where twice occurring); (b) in section 26(4), omit "VPX,"; (c) in section 28, omit "or VPX" (wherever 20 occurring); (d) in section 29(3), omit "VPX"; (e) in sections 30, 31, 32, and 33, omit "or VPX" (wherever occurring); (f) in sections 35(13), 36(2), 36A(3) and 37(6), 25 omit "VPX,"; (g) in section 38(1)-- (i) omit "and VPX"; (ii) omit "or VPX". _______________ 30 22 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 20 Act No. PART 3--ELECTRICITY SAFETY ACT 1998 20. Enforcement officers (1) In section 121(1) of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 after "this Act" insert "and the Electricity 5 Industry Act 1993". (2) In section 121(4) of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 after "this Act" insert "or the Electricity Industry Act 1993". (3) In section 121(1) of the Electricity Safety Act 10 1998, after "of the Office" insert "or an agent or contractor of the Office". (4) In section 121 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998, for sub-section (5) substitute-- "(5) The Office must not appoint an agent or 15 contractor of the Office to be an enforcement officer unless satisfied that the agent or contractor-- (a) is competent to exercise the functions of an enforcement officer; and 20 (b) is of good repute, having regard to character, honesty and integrity; and (c) agrees in writing to carry out the functions of an enforcement officer in accordance with such criteria as are 25 established from time to time by the Office.". (5) In section 138 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 after "this Act" insert "or the Electricity Industry Act 1993". 30 (6) In section 139 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 after "this Part" insert "or the Electricity Industry Act 1993". 23 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 21 Act No. 21. Power to give directions In section 141(2) of the Electricity Safety Act 1998, after paragraph (b) insert-- "or 5 (c) to make safe an electrical installation or particular electrical equipment; or (d) to do any other thing necessary to make an unsafe electrical situation safe.". 22. Sections 141A and 141B inserted 10 After section 141 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 insert-- "141A. Additional powers in emergencies (1) In addition to the powers under section 141, the chief electrical inspector may do 15 anything or give any direction that the chief electrical inspector considers necessary to make an electricity emergency situation safe. (2) A person must comply with a direction under this section that applies to the person. 20 Penalty: In the case of a natural person, 500 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment or both; In the case of a body corporate, 10 000 penalty units. 25 (3) An offence under sub-section (2) is an indictable offence. (4) The Office must include in its annual report for a financial year under Part 7 of the Financial Management Act 1994, a 30 statement setting out details of each direction given by the chief electrical inspector under this section during that financial year. 24 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 22 Act No. 141B. Delegation by chief electrical inspector The chief electrical inspector may, with the consent of the Minister, by instrument, delegate any function or power of the chief 5 electrical inspector under section 141 or 141A to an officer or employee of the Office.". _______________ 25 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 23 Act No. PART 4--AMENDMENT OF OTHER ACTS 23. Gas Industry (Amendment) Act 1998 In section 36 of the Gas Industry (Amendment) Act 1998, in proposed new section 41A(3), after 5 "functions are" insert ", subject to and in accordance with VENCorp's licence". 24. Gas Industry Act 1994 After section 16C of the Gas Industry Act 1994 insert-- 10 "16CA. Functions and powers relating to electricity VENCorp has the functions and powers conferred on it under the Electricity Industry Act 1993.". 25. Gas Industry (Amendment) Act 1998 15 In the Gas Industry (Amendment) Act 1998-- (a) in section 2(2), for "29, 35, 36 and 37," substitute "and 29"; (b) in section 2(4), for "23, 35, 36 and 37," substitute "and 23"; 20 (c) Part 3 is repealed. 26. Magistrates' Court Act 1989 In Schedule 4 of the Magistrates' Court Act 1989, after item 56B insert-- "56C. Electricity Industry Act 1993 25 Offences by a body corporate under section 47D(7) of the Electricity Industry Act 1993 and offences under section 47D(11) of that Act. 56D. Electricity Safety Act 1998 26 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 s. 26 Act No. Offences under section 141A of the Electricity Safety Act 1998.". 27 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 Notes Act No. NOTES By Authority. Government Printer for the State of Victoria. 28 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999 Act No. 29 532198B.A1-31/5/99

 


 

 


[Index] [Search] [Download] [Related Items] [Help]